A week after the murder of a Grand Forks man, loved ones gather for a candlelight vigil – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS – A week after the murder of 49-year-old Anthony “Tony” James Kiehl, loved ones gathered across from the Grand Forks Police Department for a candlelight vigil.

Kiehl’s sister, Lori Ann Garcia, organized the gathering on Thursday, Oct. 31, in hopes of sharing memories of her younger brother.

“My brother was known as a kind, helpful, giving and loving person,” Garcia told the Herald.

The vigil, held next to the bike path Kiehl regularly took to get to his apartment, was one of what she hopes will be many. Attendees held candles, shared stories and prayed. A handmade sign read: “Justice for Tony.”

Before Kiehl moved to his Cherry Street home, where he was found unconscious on Oct. 24 — the night he died — he lived at LaGrave on First, Grand Forks’ permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Cindy Cogsdell, a recently retired case manager at LaGrave at First, was just released from the hospital after a month-long stay due to ongoing health problems. When another LaGrave resident told her about the vigil, she said, “I’ll be there for Lori, and for Tony.” And I’m glad I left in time to be here.”

Kiehl and Garcia were some of her first clients at LaGrave. She would take Kiehl to the bank to cash his disability checks, and along the way he would choose the music.

“Oh, Tony loved music,” Cogsdell said. “He loved jamming with me in my car.”

When Kiehl moved from LaGrave over a year ago, she worried it was too soon.

“I remember thinking, ‘He shouldn’t move. He’s just not ready yet,” she said. ‘I thought they were setting him up. In my eyes, that’s what they did.’

Cogsdell believed Kiehl needed further support and case management. According to Garcia, he had mental health and alcohol problems.

Following Kiehl’s death, which preliminary autopsy results determined was a homicide, two men were arrested for suspected involvement.

Donald “DJ” Joseph Bartlette, 45, is charged with murder, while Nicholas Alexander Wride-Arnold, 35, is charged with murder conspiracy.

Connie Laducer, another vigil participant who knew Kiehl from his time in LaGrave, said the violent death was “just shocking.”

“How can anyone do that?” Laducer said.

Garcia said she is not only angry at the murder suspects, but also at the system.

“Violence has no place in our community,” she said. “It’s a community problem.”

At the time of Kiehl’s death, Bartlette had pending court cases on trespassing charges and, despite a record of violence, she said he was released without a monetary bond.

“I’m angry with the way things are going in Grand Forks – the system, the police officers,” Garcia said. “Because DJ should never have been let out on a PR bond.”

Garcia is also shocked by the lack of support for the families of violent crime victims.

“It’s crazy that there isn’t some kind of emergency fund set up here in Grand Forks for the victim’s family — that doesn’t require jumping through hoops — because Grand Forks is no stranger to murder,” she said.

Because her family has a low income, they struggle to pay for an urn, funeral service and burial for her brother. There is a fund for these things, but it’s through reimbursement, and her family can’t afford to pay up front, Garcia said.

The county will pay for her brother’s cremation, she said, but that’s all.

“Everyone gets to choose how the service goes for their loved one,” Garcia said. “I don’t have that choice. And I feel like I’m being persecuted because I’m poor.”

Bartlette and Wride-Arnold face life in prison without parole if convicted of their charges. But if that were to happen, Garcia still won’t feel like justice has been served.

“That doesn’t make me feel good,” she said. “Because it won’t bring my brother back.”