Bismarck woman sentenced in love triangle killing of husband

FEBRUARY 17, 2023:

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck woman was sentenced Friday to life in prison with a chance of parole for plotting with another man to kill her husband to collect life insurance payments.

Nikki Entzel, 41, was convicted in October of killing her husband, Chad Entzel, 42, on Jan. 2, 2020 at their home northeast of Bismarck. Authorities said Entzel died of gunshot wounds to the head and the house was set on fire to cover up the slaying.

She was sentenced Friday for three conspiracy convictions, including murder, arson and evidence tampering, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr said she must serve at least 85% of her sentence — at least 36 years — before being eligible for parole.

Prosecutors alleged Nikki Entzel and Earl Howard, 42, of Belwood, Ontario, Canada, were in a relationship and plotted Chad Entzel’s death.

Howard was sentenced in February 2022 to at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felonies. He must serve at least 21 years before being eligible for parole.

Authorities in May 2021 dismissed a murder charge against him when an evaluation of the gun did not confirm Nikki Entzel’s claim that Howard shot the victim.

OCTOBER 6, 2023:

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota woman has been convicted in the death of her husband in what prosecutors said was the result of a love triangle and an attempt to collect insurance money. Jurors on Tuesday returned guilty verdicts on three conspiracy charges, including murder, arson and evidence tampering, against Nikki Entzel. The body of 42-year-old Chad Entzel was found Jan. 2, 2020, after a house fire northeast of Bismarck. Authorities said Entzel died of gunshot wounds to the head and the fire was set to cover up the slaying. Entzel and Earl Howard were accused of plotting the victim’s death and starting two fires at the home.

DECEMBER 13, 2021:

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Canadian man who pleaded guilty to murder conspiracy and three other felonies in the death of a Bismarck man two years ago will be sentenced next month. Forty-three-year-old Earl Howard, of Ontario, earlier pleaded guilty to murder conspiracy and three other charges in an agreement with prosecutors. His sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 21. Howard and Nikkisue Entzel were charged in 2020 in the death of the woman’s husband, 42-year-old Chad Entzel, in what prosecutors said was a love triangle with plans to cash in on a life insurance policy. Nikkisue Entzel is scheduled to go on trial Feb. 28. 2022.

Bismarck woman sentenced in love triangle killing of husband

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