MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA: A North Dakota jury deliberated for just two hours on Tuesday, September 12, before rendering a verdict of guilty in a felony murder case. This harrowing trial revolved around the tragic death of 22-year-old Alex Eckert, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his brainstem at his residence in Minot.
The prosecution asserted that the defendant, 26-year-old Heather Renee Faith Hoffman, had been driven to desperation by a child support dispute, ultimately leading her to orchestrate Eckert's murder.
Prosecution's case against Heather Hoffman
During the trial, the state presented a compelling case, highlighting Hoffman's alleged motive, her incriminating statements at work, and her attempts to establish an alibi. Hoffman is said to have bragged openly that she could simply claim self-defense.
“I would submit to you, ladies and gentlemen, that this was murder, beyond a reasonable doubt. This was [the defendant’s] plan. You saw the escalation. She was getting more desperate, more desperate. She was saying it at work, ‘Be better off if he’s gone, better off if he’s dead. I can say that it was self-defense,'” State’s Attorney Roza Larson said, as quoted by local station KMOT.
The trial, which captured the attention of many, shed light on the events that unfolded on the night of April 21, 2022.
In the late hours of that night, Alex Eckert was discovered fatally shot in the face, positioned in the doorway of his residence. Notably, the timing of this tragic incident coincided with a recent court order that had directed Heather Hoffman to cease restricting Eckert's access to their shared child.
According to a probable cause affidavit, this order had greatly upset Hoffman, adding to the motive that the prosecution outlined. The prosecution presented a damning case against Hoffman, alleging that she had explored the purchase of plane tickets for herself and her infant daughter, who was also Eckert's child.
Premeditation and an alibi attempt
This detail suggested premeditation, further strengthening the prosecution's argument. Additionally, they contended that Hoffman attempted to establish an alibi by downloading the family tracking app Life360. Later, she offered this app's data as evidence to support her claim of innocence, implying that she couldn't have been at the scene of the crime.
Physical evidence played a pivotal role in the trial. At the crime scene, law enforcement discovered a shell casing for a .45 caliber round. Intriguingly, investigators located a .45 caliber firearm approximately a block away, eventually concluding that this was the same weapon Hoffman had purchased at a gun show in Minot just weeks before the shooting.
This link to the murder weapon served as a critical piece of evidence.
While the prosecution methodically built its case around Hoffman's motive, actions, and physical evidence, the defense put forth an alternative theory. They suggested that Jessie Schroeder, the prosecution's star witness, should be considered a possible suspect.
According to the defense, Hoffman was not in the vicinity when the fatal shot was fired but instead at her sister's residence. Crucially, Hoffman's sister, brother-in-law, and mother testified in support of this theory. Hoffman's mother testified that she had witnessed her daughter sell the firearm at the center of the case to Schroeder several weeks prior to the shooting.
Fatal encounter
Jessie Schroeder, described as a former friend and co-worker of Hoffman, had initially told police that he was present when he and Hoffman went to Eckert's residence on the fateful night.
Schroeder claimed that Eckert answered the door and said "[we’re] not going to do this now." "Does it look like I’m joking?" Hoffman retorted, before a "loud pop" resonated, as per Schroeder’s statement to police.
After leaving the scene, Schroeder purportedly concealed Hoffman in the backseat of a car with tinted windows and transported her to Minot Air Force Base, her place of residence, without notifying base security of her presence. During the trial, Schroeder provided testimony that Hoffman had “mentioned she wanted [Eckert] dead.”
The defense attempted to poke holes in Schroeder's timeline, arguing that it didn't make sense. However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, finding their case sufficient to convict Heather Hoffman of felony murder.
The prosecution presented a compelling argument regarding the gunshot wound's trajectory, reinforcing their claim that Eckert had been shot by someone shorter than him. This testimony further implicated Hoffman in the murder.
Heather Hoffman gets life in prison
As the verdict was delivered, Heather Hoffman, her cross tattoo visible on her back, shook her head in disbelief as she was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Her future now hangs in the balance as she faces the grim prospect of spending the rest of her life behind bars.
In North Dakota, felony murder is defined as intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another human being, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. However, the judge overseeing the case, Gary Lee, must determine whether the life imprisonment sentence will include the possibility of parole.
A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, which will provide crucial information to inform Judge Lee's final sentencing decision. Importantly, if the sentence ultimately includes life without parole, Hoffman will not be eligible for parole review for thirty years, minus any sentence reduction earned for good conduct.
Sentencing for Heather Renee Faith Hoffman is scheduled for December 1, as confirmed by court records obtained by Law&Crime.
