Hennepin County Attorney’s Office secures conviction of Champlin man for first-degree premeditated murder

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty released the following statement after a Hennepin County jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against James Nyonteh, 47. The jury also found the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office had proven aggravating factors related to the second-degree murder and criminal sexual conduct convictions.

Sentencing is set for January 3, 2024, where Nyonteh will face a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of release on the premediated first-degree murder conviction. Nyonteh will be sentenced separately on the criminal sexual conduct conviction.

“This was a horrific case of intimate partner and sexual violence,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Mr. Nyonteh is a serious threat to public safety but the public will now be safe from him. We are grateful to the jury for their time on this case and I hope these verdicts help both the surviving victim and all who were impacted by these crimes on the path to healing.”

According to the complaint, on March 28, 2022, Champlin Police were dispatched to a residence at approximately 9:38 p.m. On arrival, officers found an adult female lying in the front yard of the home. She was transported to Mercy Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A witness told police she had been on the phone with the victim when she heard words exchanged between Nyonteh and the victim before the call was disconnected. Officers believed Nyonteh fled in the victim’s car and were later informed that Brooklyn Park Police had located the unoccupied car.

Nyonteh was ultimately taken into custody in Fargo, N.D.

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