Washington County Attorney Peter Orput to assist with Little Falls homicide
LITTLE FALLS — Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf Monday announced that Washington County Attorney Pete Orput would assist with the Thanksgiving Day homicide in which Byron Smith is charged with the second degree murders of Haile Kifer and Nick Brady.
Middendorf appointed Orput and Washington County first assistant Brent Wartner as special assistant Morrison County attorneys to alleviate the burden on the county attorney‘s office of handling multiple pending homicide related cases.
Middendorf said in the news release, “This rash of homicide cases is well beyond anything we could have anticipated. My staffing level is not sufficient to provide the resources necessary to handle the contentious Smith prosecution. That is why I have accepted the generous offer of assistance extended by Mr. Orput.”
Orput, the Washington County Attorney since 2011, is a career prosecutor of over 24 years, having tried in excess of 20 homicide cases to verdict all over the state.
Orput said, “This is what prosecutors in this state do; we help other offices out when they need help. My office and I have the experience and resources to assist Morrison County with this important prosecution. We are happy to do so.”
