State v. Landen

2026 ND 38

• Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: February 12, 2026
• Docket: No. 20250305
• Status: Published
• Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Opinion

IN THE SUPREME COURT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

2026 ND 38

State of North Dakota, Plaintiff and Appellee v. Michael James Landen, Defendant and Appellant

No. 20250305

Appeal from the District Court of Ward County, North Central Judicial District, the Honorable Richard L. Hagar, Judge.

AFFIRMED.

Per Curiam.

Tiffany M. Sorgen, Assistant State’s Attorney, Minot, ND, for plaintiff and appellee; on brief.

Jamie L. Schaible, Fargo, ND, for defendant and appellant; on brief. State v. Landen No. 20250305

[¶1] Michael Landen appeals from a criminal judgment entered after a jury found him guilty of terrorizing. Landen argues the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to sustain a terrorizing conviction.

[¶2] Evidence presented at trial included a recording of the 911 call and body camera footage of the incident giving rise to the terrorizing charge. The responding officer, victim, and victim’s brother were all present at the incident and testified at trial about Landen’s conduct during the incident. The victim also testified to being fearful as a result of Landen’s conduct during the incident. At trial, Landen moved under Rule 29, N.D.R.Crim.P., for a judgment of acquittal. The district court denied the motion. After reviewing the record, we conclude there was sufficient evidence to support the guilty verdict. See State v. Haney, 2023 ND 227, ¶ 7, 998 N.W.2d 817 (stating the defendant must show the evidence permits no reasonable inference of guilt and we do not reweigh conflicting evidence or judge witness credibility). We summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

[¶3] Lisa Fair McEvers, C.J. Daniel J. Crothers Jerod E. Tufte Jon J. Jensen Douglas A. Bahr