Suspects in Grand Rapids Beheading Appear in Court

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Today, February 24, 2017, Kayleene Danielle Greniger, 23, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota and Joseph Christen Thoresen, 36, of  appeared in Itasca County District Court, reports Itasca County Attorney John J. Muhar.

Greniger and Thoresen were previously indicted by an Itasca County Grand Jury on two counts of Murder int he First Degree and two counts of Murder in the Second Degree.

The indictments are based on allegations that Greniger and Thoresen assaulted David Haiman, 20, of Hibbing, at their apartment with a baseball bat, knife, and machete, resulting in Haiman’s death on June 21, 2016.

In court, Greniger pled guilty to one count of Murder in the Second Degree – Intentional Killing after an agreement with the prosecutor in which it is anticipated Greniger would be sentenced between 27-30 years in prison.

The agreement includes that Greniger would be required to testify truthfully and completely at any hearing or trial regarding the death of Haiman and that Greniger’s sentencing hearing would occur after Thoresen’s case is concluded.

This sentencing agreement is subject to the approval of the court.

On the recommendation of the prosecutor, the court ordered that Greniger be held at a Minnesota prison facility pending her sentencing hearing on December 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

At Thoresen’s hearing, the court heard his testimony and received evidence regarding defense motions to suppress evidence and to dismiss the indictment.

The prosecutor opposed the motions filed by the defense, and the court took matters under advisement and will issue a written decision by May 31, 2017.

Thoresen’s next court appearance is set for July 11, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. and trial is set for August 14, 2017. Thoresen is currently being held at the Itasca County Jail.