2 charged with murder conspiracy in ND shooting

STANTON, N.D. (AP) — Two men accused in a shooting in Beulah that killed a man and injured his brother have each been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

Mercer County State's Attorney Jessica Binder says 29-year-old Richard Whitman of Hazen and 24-year-old Cody Borner of Stanton were charged Thursday. Each had bond set at $1 million cash.

Authorities say 22-year-old Michael Padilla (puh-DEE'-uh) was killed in his apartment Tuesday night, and his 21-year-old brother, Timothy Padilla of Billings, Mont., was injured.

Sheriff Dean Danzeisen (dan-ZEYE'-suhn) tells The Associated Press that it's possible the shooting is drug-related. He says authorities are still interviewing witnesses.

Court documents show that Whitman has a lengthy criminal record in Mercer and Burleigh counties involving crimes ranging from property theft to terrorizing.

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