BEMIDJI — A Cass Lake man is facing second-degree unintentional murder charges after a fight between brothers turned deadly Saturday.
Leech Lake Tribal officers and Beltrami County deputies responded to the domestic disturbance call around 4:30 a.m. The caller reported two brothers were fighting.
Court documents state law enforcement arrived at the scene and witnessed 48-year-old Arthur Jones holding his brother in a chokehold. After multiple verbal commands to stop, Leech Lake officers deployed a Taser. They said Jones still refused to release his hold on the victim.
After attempting life-saving measures, first responders transported the victim to the Cass Lake IHS hospital where he was pronounced dead around 5:30 a.m.
The autopsy report shows the victim had multiple injuries to the head and neck that are consistent with strangulation.
Jones made his first court appearance from the Beltrami County Jail on Tuesday while sitting in a wheelchair. Before conditional bail was set at $1 million, Jones requested a lower bail amount to attend a scheduled surgery. Judge Matti Adam advised that Jones would receive medical care while incarcerated.
-
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerOrganizers say 100 clergy were arrested Jan. 23, 2026, at a morning protest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe first of two Native American Heritage Nights Jan. 20, 2026, included drumming, dancing and an Ojibwe-language broadcast. The second is Jan. 30 against Grand Rapids. -
Contributed/Becker County Sheriff's Office & Clearwater County Sheriff's OfficeBecker County Sheriff Todd Glander and Clearwater County Sheriff Darin Halverson recently announced they wouldn't seek reelection in 2026. -
Plus: Nisswa City Council votes to censure Mayor Jennifer Carnahan and strip her of committee posts; and a general strike against ICE presence in Minnesota is Friday.
