GUILTY MN - Heidi Firkus, 25, fatally shot, St. Paul, 25 Apr 2010 *husband arrested 2021*

[Niner]

Event & Orders of the Court
02/06/2023 Jury Trial (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)

02/06/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/06/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 120

02/06/2023 Briefs Index # 121

02/06/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/06/2023

02/06/2023 Memorandum Index # 122

02/06/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/06/2023

02/06/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/06/2023

02/06/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/06/2023

02/06/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/06/2023

02/06/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/06/2023

link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1628945922

 

[Niner]

Unfortunately I am not finding anything on what happened on Friday, 2/3 trial.

Tuesday, February 7th:
*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 9am CT) - MN – Heidi Marie Erickson Firkus (25) (April 25, 2010, shot in back & died, St. Paul) & husband Nicholas James Firkus (27) (shot in leg by alleged intruder) - *Nicholas James Firkus (27 @ time of crime/38/now 39) arrested (5/19/21), charged (5/20/21), indicted (9/3/21) & arraigned (10/12/21) with 1st degree murder (premeditated) & 2nd degree intentional (not premeditated) murder. Plead not guilty. $3M bond or $1M on condition of surrendering passport & not leaving Minnesota. Posted non-cash bond ($1M) & released. Plead not guilty.
Trial began on 1/23/23 & ended 1/27/23 with jury selection. Jurors: 7 women & 8 men.
Trial began on 1/27/23.
Case & court info from 5/19/21 to 1/13/23 & Jury selection Days (1/23 to 1/27/23) & Trial Day 1-5 (1/27 to 2/2/23) reference post #197 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-10
2/3/23 Friday, Trial Day 6: State witnesses: No info available.
Trial continues on Monday, 2/6/23.
2/6/23 Monday, Trial Day 7: State witnesses: Homicide investigator Sgt. Jim Gray. A video played for jurors Monday of their conversation.
for more info see post #200 (article) here:
https://www.websleuthscom/forums/th...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-10
Gray’s testimony continues Tuesday. Firkus’ attorneys haven’t cross-examined him yet. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/7/23.

 

[Niner]

No evidence of strife in Firkus marriage, investigator says at murder trial

Nicholas Firkus is on trial for murder in 2010 shooting of wife, Heidi.

www.twincities.com

Feb. 8, 2023

Investigators found no evidence of an affair or “tremendous strife” in the marriage of Heidi and Nicholas Firkus after Heidi was fatally shot in her home, a St. Paul police sergeant testified Tuesday.

There was also no inheritance to be gained from Firkus’ death, Sgt. Jim Gray, the original lead investigator, said in court.
[.....]
Police sought information from Heidi’s workplace at Securian Financial. Gray said Tuesday that he talked to a co-worker who’d gone shopping with Heidi at the Mall of America the day before she was killed. The woman said Heidi told her that she and Nick had been victims of identity theft in the range of $200,000 and it happened about three weeks prior, Gray said.
[.....]
The trial continues Wednesday [2/8/23], with the prosecution continuing to call witnesses. Firkus’ defense attorneys will have an opportunity to question their own witnesses when the prosecution concludes its case.


A lot more in article.

 

[Niner]

Events & Orders of the Court;

02/07/2023 Jury Trial (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)
Result: Held On the Record

02/07/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/07/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 124

02/07/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/07/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 125

02/08/2023 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)

link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1628945922

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 9) (@ 9am CT) - MN – Heidi Marie Erickson Firkus (25) (April 25, 2010, shot in back & died, St. Paul) & husband Nicholas James Firkus (27) (shot in leg by alleged intruder) - *Nicholas James Firkus (27 @ time of crime/38/now 39) arrested (5/19/21), charged (5/20/21), indicted (9/3/21) & arraigned (10/12/21) with 1st degree murder (premeditated) & 2nd degree intentional (not premeditated) murder. Plead not guilty. $3M bond or $1M on condition of surrendering passport & not leaving Minnesota. Posted non-cash bond ($1M) & released. Plead not guilty.
Trial began on 1/23/23 & ended 1/27/23 with jury selection. Jurors: 7 women & 8 men.
Trial began on 1/27/23.
Case & court info from 5/19/21 to 1/13/23 & Jury selection Days (1/23 to 1/27/23) & Trial Day 1-7 (1/27 to 2/6/23) reference post #202 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-11
2/7/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 8: State witnesses: Homicide investigator Sgt. Jim Gray continues testimony.
for more info see post #203 (article) here:
https://www.websleuthscom/forums/th...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-11
Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/8/23.

 

[Niner]

Heidi Firkus’ signature not on foreclosure or eviction documents, investigator testifies at husband’s murder trial

Defense attorneys expected to begin their portion of case on Thursday.

www.twincities.com

Feb. 9, 2023

Heidi Firkus’ signature wasn’t found on any foreclosure or eviction documents for her and her husband’s St. Paul home, the case’s lead investigator testified Wednesday.


Those were among St. Paul police Sgt. Nichole Sipes’ findings when she took over the investigation in 2019 of Firkus’ fatal shooting in 2010. Her new work on the case, in conjunction with the FBI and Ramsey County prosecutors, led to Heidi’s husband being charged with murder in 2021. Nicholas Firkus, 39, is on trial now.
[.....]
Sipes testified that an attorney who handled the foreclosure for the bank did not say that he would make the garage available for the couple’s personal property. Nick Firkus, then 27, had attended an eviction hearing alone in March 2010 and signed a document that said any property they left behind at the time of eviction could be destroyed.
[.....]
Court ended for the day Wednesday before Nick Firkus’ defense attorneys cross-examined Sipes; that will happen Thursday [2/9/23]. The prosecution plans to wrap up their portion of the case Thursday, in which testimony started Jan. 27. Then, defense attorneys will begin to call their witnesses to the stand.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, February 9th:
*Trial continues (Day 10) (@ 9am CT) - MN – Heidi Marie Erickson Firkus (25) (April 25, 2010, shot in back & died, St. Paul) & husband Nicholas James Firkus (27) (shot in leg by alleged intruder) - *Nicholas James Firkus (27 @ time of crime/38/now 39) arrested (5/19/21), charged (5/20/21), indicted (9/3/21) & arraigned (10/12/21) with 1st degree murder (premeditated) & 2nd degree intentional (not premeditated) murder. Plead not guilty. $3M bond or $1M on condition of surrendering passport & not leaving Minnesota. Posted non-cash bond ($1M) & released. Plead not guilty.
Trial began on 1/23/23 & ended 1/27/23 with jury selection. Jurors: 7 women & 8 men.
Trial began on 1/27/23.
Case & court info from 5/19/21 to 1/13/23 & Jury selection Days (1/23 to 1/27/23) & Trial Day 1-8 (1/27 to 2/7/23) reference post #205 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-11
2/8/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 9: State witnesses: St. Paul police Sgt. Nichole Sipes. Firkus’ defense attorneys cross-examined Sipes; that will happen Thursday. The prosecution plans to wrap up their portion of the case Thursday, in which testimony started Jan. 27. Then, defense attorneys will begin to call their witnesses to the stand.
for more info see post #206 (article) here:
https://www.websleuthscom/forums/th...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-11
Trial continues on Thursday, 2/9/23.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Closing arguments set for Friday in Nicholas Firkus murder trial

Firkus is on trial for the April 25, 2010, slaying of his wife.

www.startribune.com

 

[JosieMae]

The closing arguments will be critical in this circumstantial case, IMO. Too bad we won't get to see them.

 

[Niner]

Friday, February 10th:
*Trial continues (Day 11)-CLOSING ARGUMENTS! (@ 9am CT) - MN – Heidi Marie Erickson Firkus (25) (April 25, 2010, shot in back & died, St. Paul) & husband Nicholas James Firkus (27) (shot in leg by alleged intruder) - *Nicholas James Firkus (27 @ time of crime/38/now 39) arrested (5/19/21), charged (5/20/21), indicted (9/3/21) & arraigned (10/12/21) with 1st degree murder (premeditated) & 2nd degree intentional (not premeditated) murder. Plead not guilty. $3M bond or $1M on condition of surrendering passport & not leaving Minnesota. Posted non-cash bond ($1M) & released. Plead not guilty.
Trial began on 1/23/23 & ended 1/27/23 with jury selection. Jurors: 7 women & 8 men.
Trial began on 1/27/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 2/9/23. Defense began their case on 2/9/23 & rested on 2/9/23.
Case & court info from 5/19/21 to 1/13/23 & Jury selection Days (1/23 to 1/27/23) & Trial Day 1-9 (1/27 to 2/8/23) reference post #207 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-11
2/9/23 Thursday, Trial Day 10: State witnesses: Prosecutor Rachel Kraker rested their case midday Thursday. On Thursday afternoon, Judge Leonardo Castro rejected a request from defense attorneys to acquit their client on the grounds that prosecutors had provided "zero direct evidence that he murdered his wife." In making his decision, Castro said premeditation & intent rest on circumstantial evidence & that the evidence submitted by the state "could sustain a conviction, so the order is denied."
Defense witnesses: A friend of the Firkuses; a man who was staying at the house next door; Nicholas Firkus' former coworker & friend; his aunt; Julie Firkus, defendant's mother.
for more info see post #208 (article) here:
https://www.websleuthscom/forums/th...5-st-paul-25-april-2010-arrest.103352/page-11
Defense attorney Joe Friedberg rested their case on Thursday after calling five witnesses & a Ramsey County district judge set closing arguments for Friday, 2/10/23.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Testimony ends in Firkus trial; closing arguments to begin Friday morning

Nick Firkus is charged with murdering his wife Heidi in Saint Paul in 2010 in an alleged staged break-in and struggle.

www.kare11.com

 

[Niner]

Docket update:

Events & Orders of the Court:
02/08/2023 Jury Trial (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)
Result: Held On the Record

02/08/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/08/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 126

02/08/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/09/2023 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)
Result: Held On the Record

02/09/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 127

02/09/2023 Jury Trial (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)
Result: Held On the Record

02/09/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/09/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 128

02/10/2023 Jury Trial (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)


link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1628945922

 

[justice4heidi85]

Guilty.

1st and 2nd degree murder.

Jury finds Nick Firkus guilty of the 2010 murder of his wife

 

[kittycat3]

WOW! I do think this was the right verdict but I did not expect the jury to find him guilty! Justice for Heidi!

 

[Niner]

Guilty.

1st and 2nd degree murder.

Jury finds Nick Firkus guilty of the 2010 murder of his wife

and a sentencing date from article.

Firkus was found guilty on one count each of first-degree and second-degree murder. His sentencing is set for April 13.

 

[kittycat3]

Nicholas Firkus found guilty of murdering wife Heidi Firkus

Firkus was charged with intentionally killing his wife a day before they were to be evicted.

www.twincities.com

I didn’t see this one posted yet, some good info on what happened in closing arguments and when the verdict was read. I am not sure I realized it was only 65 seconds between Heidi’s 911 call and Nicks call. Prosecution argued that wasn’t enough time for all that Nick said happened, to happen. I totally agree! Well done to them in this verdict.

 

[JosieMae]

Nicholas Firkus found guilty of murdering wife Heidi Firkus

Firkus was charged with intentionally killing his wife a day before they were to be evicted.

www.twincities.com

I didn’t see this one posted yet, some good info on what happened in closing arguments and when the verdict was read. I am not sure I realized it was only 65 seconds between Heidi’s 911 call and Nicks call. Prosecution argued that wasn’t enough time for all that Nick said happened, to happen. I totally agree! Well done to them in this verdict.

Thanks for the link!

I completely believe that Firkus is guilty, but also agree that the motive doesn't make any sense. Which leads me to one conclusion - he's a moron.

 

[Niner]

Did not realize I have not updated the court docket... maybe because his sentencing date was so into the future. A bit on the long side...

Events & Orders of the Court;
02/10/2023 Jury Trial (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)
Result: Held On the Record
02/10/2023 Hearing Held In-Person

02/13/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 131

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 132

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 133

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/13/2023

02/13/2023 Court Clerk Minutes Index # 134

02/13/2023 Notice of Appearance Index # 135

02/13/2023 Order-Presentence Investigation Index # 136 (Judicial Officer: Castro, Leonardo )

02/13/2023 Verdict Index # 137 [me: Guilty: 1st degree premeditated murder]

02/13/2023 Verdict Index # 138 [Guilty: 2nd degree intentional murder]

02/13/2023 Prospective Juror List Index # 139

02/13/2023 Juror Profile List Index # 140

02/13/2023 Interim Condition for FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
- Conditions, other
- Hold Without Bail or Bond
Ramsey County Jail (Ramsey County Adult Detention Center)

02/13/2023 Exhibit List Index # 141

02/16/2023 Exhibit List Index # 142

02/21/2023 Order Regarding Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 143 (Judicial Officer: Castro, Leonardo )

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023 Order for Temporary Commitment Index # 144

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 02/21/2023

02/21/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 02/21/2023

03/01/2023 To Department of Corrections to Return

03/01/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 145

03/01/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/01/2023

03/01/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/01/2023

03/01/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/01/2023

03/01/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/01/2023

03/01/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 03/01/2023

03/02/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 146

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 147

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/02/2023

03/02/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 03/02/2023

03/09/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 148

03/09/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/09/2023

03/09/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/09/2023

03/09/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/09/2023

03/09/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/09/2023

03/09/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 03/09/2023

03/14/2023 Notice of Visual or Audio Coverage Index # 149

03/14/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/14/2023

03/14/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/14/2023

03/14/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/14/2023

03/14/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 03/14/2023

03/14/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 03/14/2023

04/05/2023 Presentence Investigation Report Index # 150

04/05/2023 Proposed Order or Document Index # 151

04/05/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 04/05/2023

04/05/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 04/05/2023

04/05/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 04/05/2023

04/05/2023
e-Service
State of Minnesota
Served 04/05/2023

04/05/2023
e-Service
FIRKUS, NICHOLAS JAMES
Served 04/05/2023

04/07/2023 Exhibit List Index # 152

04/13/2023 Sentencing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Castro, Leonardo)


link: https://pa.courts.state.mn.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1628945922

 

[Niner]

Firkus jurors speak out: How they decided in hours that husband killed Heidi

Sentencing is underway on Thursday afternoon in Ramsey County for Nicholas Firkus, who maintains his innocence.

www.twincities.com

April 8, 2023

Finding Nicholas Firkus guilty of murdering his wife in St. Paul came quickly for jurors because, when two weeks of testimony ended, about half of them said they’d heard enough to not believe his account of a stranger intruding in their home.


The other half of the jurors were leaning toward a guilty verdict and they wanted more time to review the testimony and evidence, according to three jurors interviewed by the Pioneer Press. Deliberations lasted between two and three hours, they estimated.
[.....]
Firkus, now 40, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday and victim impact statements will be read in court. His conviction of first-degree, premeditated murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Because of the kind of case, it will trigger an automatic appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.


Firkus’ attorney, Joe Friedberg, said Firkus maintains his innocence.
[.....]
He said he expects Firkus, who didn’t testify during his trial, will speak at sentencing. Firkus was taken into custody after the verdict.

Good long article!

 

[Megnut]

Firkus jurors speak out: How they decided in hours that husband killed Heidi

Sentencing is underway on Thursday afternoon in Ramsey County for Nicholas Firkus, who maintains his innocence.

www.twincities.com

April 8, 2023

Finding Nicholas Firkus guilty of murdering his wife in St. Paul came quickly for jurors because, when two weeks of testimony ended, about half of them said they’d heard enough to not believe his account of a stranger intruding in their home.


The other half of the jurors were leaning toward a guilty verdict and they wanted more time to review the testimony and evidence, according to three jurors interviewed by the Pioneer Press. Deliberations lasted between two and three hours, they estimated.
[.....]
Firkus, now 40, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday and victim impact statements will be read in court. His conviction of first-degree, premeditated murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Because of the kind of case, it will trigger an automatic appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.


Firkus’ attorney, Joe Friedberg, said Firkus maintains his innocence.
[.....]
He said he expects Firkus, who didn’t testify during his trial, will speak at sentencing. Firkus was taken into custody after the verdict.

Good long article!

Per the last sentence, "....Firkus, who didn't testify during his trial, will speak at sentencing...." -- no one wants to hear what you have to say, Firkus. Unless it's the truth and you own it. Shadow of a man.

JMO