Cody Plumlee Arrest and Trial: What Happened in the Kirsten Knaus Case and Where Is He Now?
Cody Plumlee became the subject of significant public attention following a criminal case involving the death of his girlfriend, Kirsten Knaus, in Fargo, North Dakota, in December 2020.
The case attracted attention after Knaus suffered a severe brain injury during an incident at a Fargo residence and later died. Plumlee was arrested and eventually faced a murder charge, alongside several other criminal allegations.
However, the case ended with a jury verdict that distinguished between the original allegations and the offences for which he was ultimately convicted.
What Happened to Kirsten Knaus?
On December 7, 2020, Fargo police responded to a disturbance at a residence on 26th Street North. According to court documents reported by Valley News Live, Plumlee and Knaus had argued over the keys to a vehicle they both used.
A witness told investigators that Plumlee pushed Knaus, took the vehicle keys and left. The witness further alleged that he returned approximately 45 minutes later, forced his way into the residence and pushed Knaus down a flight of stairs.
Knaus suffered a serious head injury and was placed on life support. She later died from her injuries.
Plumlee gave investigators a different account of the confrontation. According to court documents, he said Knaus had struck him in the forehead with a frying pan before he pushed her.
Murder Charge and Court Proceedings
In February 2021, prosecutors added a murder charge in connection with Knaus’s death. Plumlee also faced charges involving aggravated domestic assault, burglary, theft and other alleged offences.
The case proceeded to trial in March 2022, with the jury reaching its verdict in April.
On April 7, 2022, Plumlee was found not guilty of murder, aggravated assault involving domestic violence, burglary and reckless endangerment.
However, the jury found him guilty of three other offences: theft of property, providing false information to law enforcement and reckless driving.
What Was Cody Plumlee’s Sentence?
A case summary published following the trial states that Plumlee received a three-year prison sentence for the vehicle-theft conviction, followed by two years of supervised release. The sentences for the other convictions were ordered to run concurrently.
The distinction between the acquittals and convictions is important. Plumlee was not convicted of murdering Knaus, although he was convicted of the three lesser offences.
Where Is Cody Plumlee Now?
There is no reliable, current public reporting establishing Plumlee’s precise whereabouts as of November 2026. Although the available case summary records his sentence, it does not establish his present residence or confirm his current supervision status.
For that reason, claims about where he lives, whether he remains in custody or what he is currently doing should not be presented as confirmed facts without updated official records.
The case remains a significant and painful chapter for those affected by Kirsten Knaus’s death. Its legal outcome should be described accurately, with a clear distinction between the allegations, the jury’s acquittals and the convictions that remained.