The grown son of North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer has been charged with murder for allegedly being involved in a high-speed chase that killed a sheriff’s deputy earlier this month.
Ian Matthew Cramer, 42, initially faced a manslaughter charge in connection with the Dec. 6 crash that killed Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin, but a judge on Thursday downgraded the charge to murder, which comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if Cramer convicted.
He was facing 10 years for murder.
Cramer also faces new drug charges after authorities say a backpack containing methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found in a 2017 Chevy Tahoe he allegedly stole from his mother before fleeing from police.
Cramer faces 20 years in prison on the murder charge. AP
Cramer reached speeds of more than 100 mph during the chase and managed to keep going even after police flattened two of his tires with spike strips, according to authorities.
When Cramer swerved to avoid a set of spikes, he crashed into Martin’s patrol vehicle, killing a 53-year-old sheriff’s deputy who was standing outside his car, officials said.
Martin is an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s office and is married with three children, per authorities.
Martin was killed after Cramer crashed his stolen car into the officer’s vehicle. AP
Kevin Cramer (R-ND) has said that his son “suffers from a serious mental disorder that manifests in severe paranoia and hallucinations.”
“We grieve especially for the family of heroes who tried to help Ian, and we pray that our gracious God will appear as He always does in tragedy,” the senator wrote in a statement released on the night of his son’s arrest.
“We ask the public to pray for the families and colleagues of the missing officers who serve every day and thank them for all they do for us,” he added. “We also pray to God for healing for Ian. We love him and are deeply hurt.”
Martin is an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s office and is married with three children. AP
Her son has also been charged with fleeing a peace officer, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license in the case.
In 2013, the younger Cramer was hit with a misdemeanor simple assault charge after allegedly headbutting his younger brother.
He pleaded guilty and was given a suspended 10-day jail sentence, one year of probation, and ordered to pay a $150 fine.
Earlier that year, Cramer pleaded guilty to making false reports to law enforcement and possession of a controlled substance.
He was given credit for time served and ordered to pay a $300 fine.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
