DAKOTA SPOTLIGHT UNRESOLVED

How to listen to Dakota Spotlight: 'Binge' the complete Season 8 now

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 18:03:38 GMT

Dakota Spotlight, the investigative true crime podcast from Forum Communications, recently completed its seven-episode-long Season 8: "Unresolved: the Murder of Joel Lovelien."

James Wolner, host of Dakota Spotlight, said what initially drew him to the case, about the death of 38-year-old Joel Lovelien in Grand Forks in October 2007, was the drama and mystery surrounding it, as well as its stark, evocative imagery. He sought to bring listeners along as he investigated the case and put them front and center, as if they were witnesses themselves.

"The whole setting was surreal: A college town soaked in alcohol and pulsating on a Halloween-themed Saturday night in 2007. A party bus packed with intoxicated goblins, heroes and villains," he said. "And then a tragic and gruesome crime. The victim, Joel Lovelien, a 'gentle giant' is found beaten to death in the parking lot of a bar. And somehow there are no witnesses?"

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Season 8 of the podcast wasn't just about Lovelien, but substantially reviews the police investigation that followed Lovelien's death, up to and including the prosecution and trial of Travis Stay for Lovelien's murder. Stay had been at the same bar the night of the slaying, and witnesses placed him in a conversation with Lovelien shortly before he was found dead. Lovelien's blood was also found on Stay's Halloween outfit from that night.

"Then, an hour later and less than a mile away, we have a young guy just soaked in blood hailing a taxi by a cemetery," Wolner said. "He seems to be in shock; non-responsive to the taxi driver's questions. 'Where can I take ya?' and 'Did you have a rough night?' He seems traumatized. In fact he has no memory of what happened to him. Not then, not a year later, during a highly dramatic courtroom setting when he's put on trial for murder — a trial that captivated an entire city for two weeks."

Over seven episodes, Wolner collects an unprecedented array of facts, research and interviews with many of the key players, to assemble the most comprehensive piece of journalism that illuminates the circumstances around Lovelien's death and the Stay trial. While listeners may not find easy answers in the podcast season, there's plenty to learn.

"Fourteen years later, the mystery remains," Wolner said. "But, listeners who embark on this story-telling journey with me through Season 8 of Dakota Spotlight will come out the other side with an extensive understanding of the case and might just come up with a theory of their own."

To Subscribe to the Dakota Spotlight podcast, go to any of the following podcast apps:

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To find every podcast episode online, or to read all the articles related to the season (available exclusively for Forum Communications Co. members), go here or peruse the list below.

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15 years later: How Joel Lovelien's slaying, and a trial verdict, still haunt many involved

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:22:40 GMT

Editor's note:

This is the last scheduled article for season 8 of Dakota Spotlight. To read all articles on this case, go

here.

GRAND FORKS — It has been more than 15 years since Joel Lovelien was found dead outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks. It's been more than 14 years since Travis Stay was found not guilty in Lovelien's murder.

And what's left: few answers, but a lot of hurt — a lot of harm.

Obviously Lovelien's loved ones remain bereft of his big heart, his big sense of humor. But there were other victims here. There remains no justice for Joel. To this day, nobody has yet been found guilty of his murder. It remains unresolved.

Hence, the clouds of doubt and accusation remain heavy over Stay and several of those on the party bus who approached Lovelien that fateful night, even as they've tried to moved on and live their lives.

Listen to Episode No. 7 — 15 Years Later

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In this episode, Dakota Spotlight speaks to some of those best positioned to address the matter 15 years later: Erika Lovelien — Joel Lovelien's sister, Peter Wold and Nancy Yon — the lawyer and prosecutor who dueled in the Travis Stay case, Healther (Holter) Keena — who experienced a creepy invasion of her wedding due to lingering suspicion about her then-fiancé, and the Grand Forks Police Department sergeant who continues to check out any new clues in the Lovelien case.

Do you have information or tips about the murder of Joel Lovelien? Use the tip411 app (you may remain anonymous) or call the non-emergency number at Grand Forks Police Department: 701-787-8000.

Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Joel Lovelien, at various stages of his life, with family members and friends. Joel is remembered as a kind, goofy and generous man.Photo illustration by James Wolner / FNS, photos courtesy of Erika Lovelien, Dana Kelly

Anna Barrett, dressed for Halloween partying as socialite reality star Paris Hilton, poses next to James Wavra, who is wearing a hunter costume. The two were some of the revelers who visited the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks on the night of Oct. 27-28, 2007.

Joel Lovelien

Grand Forks police took a photo of Travis Stay's bruised face as evidence. It is shown here backed by a photo of cemetery by which he walked home the night of Joel Lovelien's death, Oct. 28, 2007.

Grand Forks Police investigators examine part of Travis Stay's Halloween costume. The bloodied sweatshirt was confiscated with Stay's permission and held as evidence against him in the 2007 murder of Joel Lovelien. Stay was found not guilty in a court a year later.

Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien is show in this surveillance camera footage screengrab from the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Oct. 27, 2007. Lovelien was later killed in the parking lot outside the bar.

Travis Stay — center in yellow — is show in this surveillance camera photo footage screengrab from the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the night Joel Lovelien was killed, in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007. Stay was later the prime suspect in the case.

The Broken Drum Bar

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien was beaten to death outside the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007, amid a night of Halloween revelry. Nobody has ever been found guilty for his murder.

Suspicion immediately fell on a variety of costumed partiers that night, including some dressed as a lion, the joker and a hunter. Local police and prosecutors thought they had their man, the one dressed as a lion that night: Travis Stay. But Stay was found not guilty in December 2008 in a high-profile trial -- a sensational result that has made the case a staple of true crime shows, including the Dateline TV program.

Welcome to Dakota Spotlight's eighth season: "Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien." With unprecedented access to case files and evidence, prosecutors, police, witnesses and family members, Dakota Spotlight creator and host James Wolner will use his unique investigation and reporting style to pursue the case's central questions: Who killed Joel Lovelien? Why was Travis Stay found not guilty? And why does so much suspicion linger around others in this case?

People in this episode Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Archie Ingersoll: Former reporter at the Grand Forks Herald and current news editor for The Forum of Fargo Moorhead. Reported on the trial in 2008. Heather (Holter) Keena: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North at approximately 12:20 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Duane Simon: Former Grand Forks police detective, chief investigator into the murder of Joel Lovelien in 2007. Rory Suby: Current Grand Forks police sergeant. Responsible for following up on new leads and tips about the Joel Lovelien case. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Peter Wold: Travis Stay's defense attorney in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. Nancy Yon: Former Grand Forks County state's attorney. Prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. People in previous episodes Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Mike Flannery: Former Grand Forks police detective, processed the "party bus" in search of blood. No blood was found. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

Inside the murder trial of Travis Stay, the case that 'consumed' a city

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:11:39 GMT

GRAND FORKS — The mood was electric. More than a year after 38-year-old Joel Lovelien was beaten to death outside a bar in Grand Forks in October 2007 with no witnesses, someone was on trial for his murder.

Travis Stay.

Stay had also been at the Broken Drum bar that fateful night, dressed in Halloween costume as a lion. He later made his way home, with a black eye and covered in blood. He voluntarily went to police and spoke to them without a lawyer, volunteering up answers. He remembered little from the alcohol-saturated night, he said. And he certainly didn't remember Lovelien, much less killing him, he said.

But police collected evidence, including clothes Stay wore that night that had Lovelien's blood soaked and splattered on them. They collected statements, about how Stay got a taxi ride covered in blood, how he got in another fight, how he attempted to attack a man in an alley on the way home.

Prosecutors thought they had a strong case. They charged Stay with Lovelien's murder.

Listen to Episode No. 6 — Travis on Trial

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight, the podcast will trace the days of the trial, including with the help of Archie Ingersoll, the reporter who covered the trial from inside the courtroom day in and day out.

"The Travis Stay trial was one that consumed the city of Grand Forks. Everyone had an opinion. Everyone was talking about it," Ingersoll said. "There was an energy around it unlike any case I had ever covered, unlike any case I've covered since."

Nancy Yon, the lead prosecutor in the case, will describe why she felt confident in her evidence, why she was convinced Stay was guilty. And the podcast will explore what it was that lead to a jury finding Stay not guilty in the crime after six hours of deliberation.

Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Travis Stay arrives at the Grand Forks County Courthouse for his murder trial earlier in December. The 24-year-old former UND student, stands accused of beating 38-year-old Joel Lovelien to death in October 2007 outside the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks. (Herald photo by Eric Hylden).

Travis Stay (right) and his attorney Peter Wold listen as the verdict is read Wednesday night. Herald photo by John Stennes.

Travis Stay reacts to the not guilty verdict Wednesday.

Travis Stay gets a hug from his mother Vickie Stay (left) in the courtroom Wednesday night after he was acquitted of teh beating death of Joel Lovelien. Herald photo by John Stennes.

Nancy Yon, Assistant Attorney General, Grand Forks, ND. Yon was the prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay who was accused of slaying Joel Lovelien in 2007. Stay was aquitted after a 14-day trial.

Police cars and police tape surround the scene of the crime at the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks in the early morning hours Oct. 28, 2007, in this police evidence photo, lightened in post-processing by Forum News Service to show additional detail. Joel Lovelien, 38, was beaten to death in this parking lot that evening.

Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien's ex-wife, Heidi Marto (left), and Lovelien's fiancee, Heather Eastling, discuss the trial and not guilty verdict of Travis Stay, who was accused in the beating death of Lovelien 14 months ago in Grand Forks. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Archie Ingersoll: Former reporter at the Grand Forks Herald and current news editor for The Forum of Fargo Moorhead. Reported on the trial in 2008. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North at approximately 12:20 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Nancy Yon: Former Grand Forks County state's attorney. Prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay.

People in previous episodes Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Mike Flannery: Former Grand Forks police detective, processed the "party bus" in search of blood. No blood was found. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Duane Simon: Former Grand Forks police detective, chief investigator into the murder of Joel Lovelien in 2007. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

Lion costume + blood evidence + wounds = murder charge for Travis Stay

James Wolner — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:01:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — Two days after Joel Lovelien was found beaten to death in a bar parking lot in October 2007, Grand Forks police asked the public for some help. They wanted to speak with a few unidentified persons, including a man who wore a yellow Halloween costume.

That same afternoon, a 22-year-old University of North Dakota student named Travis Stay walked into the police department. He told investigators he had worn a yellow Halloween costume. He threw the costume away at home though. Why? It was soaked in blood.

Stay had an open cut under his left eye, scratched knuckles and blood on his shoe. He said he had been at the bar where Joel was killed, but he didn't remember much of anything. The only thing he felt certain of was that he never met Joel Lovelien.

Six weeks later Travis Stay was arrested for the murder of Joel Lovelien. A year after that he was acquitted following a 14-day trial.

But, what was the evidence against Travis Stay and what was the state's case exactly?

Listen to Episode No. 5 — The Evidence Against Travis Stay

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight, host James Wolner interviews former Grand Forks County State's Attorney Nancy Yon, who prosecuted the state's case against Travis Stay in December of 2008. Travis Stay was found not guilty.

To fully grasp the evidence submitted against Travis Stay, Wolner interviews Nancy Yon and two former Grand Forks investigators about the investigation into Joel Lovelien's death.

Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Grand Forks police took a photo of Travis Stay's bruised face as evidence. It is shown here backed by a photo of cemetery by which he walked home the night of Joel Lovelien's death, Oct. 28, 2007.

The Broken Drum Bar

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Mike Flannery: Former Grand Forks police detective, processed the "party bus" in search of blood. No blood was found. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North at approximately 12:20 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Duane Simon: Former Grand Forks police detective, chief investigator into the murder of Joel Lovelien in 2007. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Nancy Yon: Former Grand Forks County state's attorney. Prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. People in previous episodes Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.
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'A gentle giant' -- Loved ones describe Joel Lovelien, slain at 38

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:30:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — One doesn't have to hear much about Joel Lovelien to know what kind of man he was: a kind, generous, goofy man, loyal to his friends. And sometimes, he'd spice up his relationship by belting out the "SpongeBob Squarepants" cartoon show theme song.

That all ended when Lovelien was beaten to death outside a bar in Grand Forks in October 2007. Yet the memories live on, carried by those close to him.

Listen to Episode No. 4 — 'A Portrait of Joel'

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight: the life and legacy of Joel Lovelien, recounted by family and friends. They tell how a stubborn, strong-willed boy who grew into a smart, "gentle giant" of a man with a dry, raunchy sense of humor.

Lovelien wasn't the type to get into a bar brawl. He was a big guy, but he wasn't aggressive. He took a yoga class — and loved it.

"I came to learn he's just a sweetheart and really a big teddy bear," said Dana Kelly, who met Lovelien and became friend with him at their shared workplace of Altru hospital in Grand Forks. "He's the guy that would go out and talk some buddy out of getting into a fight and make sure they were OK. He's not the guy that would go out and ever start a fight."

Gallery - Browse with arrow on right

Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien spending time with friends

Joel Lovelien

And then there was that "SpongeBob Squarepants" song that Joel had become familiar with through his young daughter Alexa.

"Joel became known for belting out "SpongeBob SquarePants" right in the middle of a lunch or having a beer after work with buddies," said Lovelien's sister, Erika Lovelien. "He and Alexa, that was their thing, SpongeBob SquarePants."

Joel Lovelien was a big University of North Dakota hockey fan — as evidence by his choice of a UND jersey as his costume wear on that fateful trip to the Broken Drum bar.

After his passing, arrangements were made to pay tribute to Lovelien and play the "SpongeBob Squarepants song at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks before a game. A fitting remembrance for a hockey fan — a gentle giant and a loyal loved one — gone much too soon.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. People in previous episodes Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Ave North and 11th Ave North at approximately 12:20 am, Sunday Oct 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died.
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Blocks away from Joel Lovelien slaying, a stranger in yellow staggers home

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:38:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — Steven Raasakka was walking home that night, after a quiet night hanging out, watching hockey with a friend. It was the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007.

Then he saw the man.

He was leaning against a back fence in an alley. Odd, Raasakka noted. Then the man started to follow him. Raasakka noticed he was staggering, like a drunk person.

Raasakka arrived at his garage and looked behind him — there was the man still, staggering toward him, pulling up a sleeve of his yellow sweatshirt. The stranger lunged forward, taking a wild swing at Raasakka, but missed as Raasakka dodged, and he fell to the ground.

Raasakka ran inside. He grabbed a baseball bat, called his friend and went out to look for his assailant — the man in yellow. The hunt had begun. Who was this guy, and why had he tried to attack Raasakka?

Listen to Episode 3 — Travis Stay, the Man in Yellow

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight, the podcast tracks the movements and actions of the man in yellow, Travis Stay. What was going on with him and his friends that weekend night just before Halloween?

Relying on statements made to police, including by Travis Stay, and comparing and cross-referencing them, Dakota Spotlight will attempt to map out who was where that night, and why — all in an attempt to reconstruct the fateful evening that Joel Lovelien was killed outside the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

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Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

'The Joker' stands with Anna Barrett who is dressed for Halloween partying as socialite reality star Paris Hilton on the night of Oct. 27-28, 2007. The man dressed as a joker was ruled out as a person of interest in the investigation into the death of Joel Lovelien.

Interior of Travis Stay's residence in 2007.

Grand Forks police took a photo of Travis Stay's bruised face as evidence. It is shown here backed by a photo of cemetery by which he walked home the night of Joel Lovelien's death, Oct. 28, 2007.

In the early morning hours of October 27, 2007, during the initial hours of the investigation, the Clown and the Cowboy were located in downtown Grand Forks and taken to the police department for questioning.

The Broken Drum Bar

The exterior of the home of Travis Stay, where taxi driver Paul Balstad dropped him off in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, after noticing he was injured, dazed and covered in blood.

People in this episode Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38-years-old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Ave North and 11th Ave North at approximately 12:20 am, Sunday Oct 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. James Wavra: Dressed as a Hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died.
People in previous episode Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

Why did police grill a 'clown,' 'cowboy' and 'hunter' about the Joel Lovelien slaying?

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:02:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — The police quickly arrived to the scene: a dark, car-lined parking lot outside a rowdy bar.

This was the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007. Outside, in the lot, was Joel Lovelien, a 38-year-old local dressed like a college hockey player for the Halloween revelry inside.

Episode No. 2 — The Clown, the Cowboy and the Hunter

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Lovelien had been severely beaten. Officers tried CPR, but they could not get a good airway, and they couldn't get a pulse. An ambulance took him away. He would later be pronounced dead. For police, the job was just beginning.

As the investigation turned into a murder investigation, they rounded up witnesses at the bar and beyond. Their interest quickly zeroed in on three individuals, all easily remembered for their costume choices that night, amid an evening of customed, drunked revelry: One was dressed as a clown, another as a cowboy and a third was dressed as a hunter.

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Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

Anna Barrett, dressed as socialite reality TV star Paris Hilton, stands next to Bryce Larson, who is dressed as a cowboy. The two were among the Halloween revelers at the Broken Drum bar on Oct. 27-28, 2007.

The Broken Drum Bar

There were others there in costume that night, including a gangster, a bum, a joker, a penguin, and more. But those previous three — the clown, the cowboy and the hunter — garnered attention by police and remain, for some people in Grand Forks, suspicious in the case even though someone else was eventually charged for Lovelien's murder.

In Episode 2 of Season 8 of the podcast, Dakota Spotlight explores the immediate aftermath of the Lovelien slaying, following police as they sort through witnesses, and new information and tips flowing in throughout the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007. The podcast rides along as police figure out a crucial detail from the night that allowed them to sort out who might have done what, and to whom.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38-years-old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. James Wavra: Dressed as a Hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. People in previous episode Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

Amid a night of costumed Halloween revelry, a man found beaten to death

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:15:47 GMT

GRAND FORKS — It was a chilly October night, and Paul Balstad was driving a taxi cab, looking for a fare.

He noticed emergency vehicles with flashing light outside the Broken Drum bar. There must have been some sort of incident there. It was the wee hours of Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, and Halloween revelers were still crowding the bars.

Listen to Episode Number 1 — Halloween at the Broken Drum

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Then, someone flagged him down. It was a young man dressed in something yellow, waving his arms. He hopped in Balstad's cab.

The driver noticed a few things. The yellow outfit was some sort of Halloween costume, part of it was missing, and another part had blood on it. And he looked beat up: a fat lip, bruised knuckles, a serious black eye and a lot of blood on his face.

"He looked like he was kind of in shock, in a daze," Balstad said, recalling the night. "I mean, you couldn't have used a paintbrush or a roller to get more blood on there."

Balstad didn't know it then, but the man's name was Travis Stay, and earlier that evening he had been at the Broken Drum bar. Also at the Broken Drum — a man named Joel Lovelien.

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Lovelien, 38, was found beaten to death in the parking lot outside the bar. Stay was later charged with murder, but a jury found him not guilty in December 2008. Nobody has ever been convicted of Lovelien's murder.

Now, the Dakota Spotlight podcast is launching an in-depth examination of the case, exploring what happened that night, digging into the trial of Travis Stay, and examining the various theories about the case.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

Why Dakota Spotlight picked this case

For seven seasons, Wolner and his Dakota Spotlight podcast have looked into largely unreported crimes, or at least, relatively unreported by true crime TV shows and podcasts. But the Lovelien case is not an unexplored topic, including by NBC's well-known Dateline show in 2013 and 2019.

Wolner, however, believes that while the Dateline show did give a good high-level picture of the case, most other true crime shows did little to no interviews and investigating of their own, instead just retelling the same story largely described in the Dateline broadcasts.

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Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

"I believe that all this has led to some misunderstandings about Joel’s case as well as many rumors, theories and hearsay," Wolner said in episode one of this new season about the Lovelien case.

Wolner, instead, is taking a fresh, in-depth look at the matter, through interviews with law enforcement, family members, witnesses and others, reviewing police files and legal documents, and plans to explore any new leads that come up in the reporting of the show.

People in this episode Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée. Joel Lovelien: 38-years-old, technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital: Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>