Villarreal trial opens with focus on hotel staff; judge says jurors 'nod off' during retelling of statements

GRAND FORKS — As multiple witnesses read and re-read years-old statements during their testimony, Judge Ted Sandberg said the monotony of the process was prompting jurors to nod off during the opening day of a trial for an East Grand Forks man accused of killing his father. Vincent Chase Villarreal, 34, is charged with Class AA felony murder with extreme indifference, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty. He's accused of fatally shooting his father, Jeffrey Allen Shulzitski, at the Budget Inn Express in Grand Forks in December 2020. Sarah Gereszek, of the Grand Forks County State's Attorney Office, gives her opening statement during the murder trial of Vincent Chase Villarreal on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at the Grand Forks County Courthouse. Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald The hearing started at 9 a.m. at the Grand Forks County Courthouse. Around 2:10 p.m., Sandberg called for a 15-minute break in the middle of a witness' testimony.