By Jay Stephenson
Valley City Times-Record

    A woman facing murder charges for the death of a 14-month-old toddler had her second court appearance Thursday.
    Appearing before judge Mikal Simonson in Barnes County Court, Cassandra Riediger, 18, pleaded not guilty to charges she was partly responsible for the death of her then-boyfriend James Thompson’s son Marcus.
    Both Riediger and Thompson were charged with Class AA  felony murder charges last September when Marcus Thompson was found not breathing in his crib and an autopsy revealed malnutrition and neglect contributed to the child’s death.  
    Thompson had sole custody of Marcus and was living with Riediger at the time. He pleaded not guilty to the same charges last October.
    Riediger’s attorney Richard Linnerooth said the charges are too extreme given his client wasn’t the primary caretaker of the child. Police working on the case said last September that Riediger was a caretaker of the child living at the house.
    A Class AA felony carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
    Since both Riediger and Thompson were charged together, Linnerooth may file a motion to have the defendants tried seperately. Linnerooth said he has discussed the case with Thompson’s attorney Steven Mottinger, but hasn’t made a decision.
    Simonson ordered a five day jury trial for Riediger, but an official court date has not been set.