Prosecutor asks to convene grand jury in Montevideo stabbing case

MONTEVIDEO -- Chippewa County Attorney David Gilbertson filed a motion Wednesday with the district court asking that a grand jury be convened in the stabbing death of Vinessa Lozano, 18, of Montevideo.

Derek Jon Nelson, 24, of Montevideo, is currently held in the Chippewa County Jail on second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault charges in Lozano's death.

Nelson is accused of fatally stabbing Lozano as she left the Pizza Ranch in Montevideo on Jan. 13. The two were co-workers at the restaurant.

In the state of Minnesota, only a grand jury can bring an indictment for first-degree murder, which carries the penalty of life in prison.

The attorney is asking that a grand jury be convened on May 15. The court is expected to act on the filing within a day or two.