FARGO - A 29-year-old Fargo man pleaded guilty Thursday, Sept. 27, to felony charges of manslaughter and terrorizing in connection with the death of an acquaintance during a fight in March.
Daniel Habiger had been charged with murder. His sentencing hearing on the manslaughter and terrorizing charges is set for Nov. 15 in Cass County District Court.
Habiger was accused of killing 32-year-old Jarryd Heis on March 2 during a fight in Habiger’s north Fargo apartment.
According to court documents, Habiger called 911 from a gas station on March 2, reporting that he had killed someone at his apartment at 701 10th St. N.
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Habiger told investigators that he, Heis and another man had been drinking. Habiger said Heis threatened him and his family. Habiger told police he “choked out” Heis and kicked him in the head after he choked him, because Heis was still moving, according to court documents.
Habiger underwent two state-ordered evaluations, one to determine whether he was criminally responsible for his actions and a second to see whether he could assist in his own defense.
His attorney, Scott Brand, requested that an independent evaluation be done to test whether Habiger was fit to stand trial. The results of that examination were not entered into court records. Brand did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Thursday.
Prosecutors, however, filed a response to Brand’s request, saying experts would testify that Habiger was fit for trial. A trial had been scheduled to begin in November.