The adult son of North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer has been charged with murder for his alleged role in a high-speed chase that killed a sheriff’s deputy earlier this month.
Ian Matthew Cramer, 42, initially faced a manslaughter charge for the Dec. 6 head-on crash that resulted in the death of Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin, but a judge on Thursday approved increasing the charge. murder charge, which comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if Cramer is convicted.
He faced 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Cramer was also charged with new drug charges after authorities said a backpack containing methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found in the 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 exceeding 100 mph during the chase and managed to continue even after police punctured two of his tires with a spike strip, according to authorities.
As Cramer swerved to avoid another series of spikes, he crashed into Martin’s patrol car, killing the 53-year-old sheriff’s deputy who was standing outside his car, according to officials.
Martin was an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and was married with three children, according to authorities.
Martin died after Cramer crashed his stolen car into the officer’s vehicle. AP
Kevin Cramer (R-ND) has said his son “suffers from serious mental disorders that manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations.”
“We are especially sorry for the family of the hero who tried to help Ian, and we pray that our merciful God appears as he always does in tragedies,” the senator wrote in a statement issued the night of his son’s arrest.
“We ask the public to pray for the family of the lost officer and for the colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us,” he added. “We also ask God to heal Ian. We love him and he hurts us deeply.”
Martin was an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, married with three children. AP
His son has also been charged with fleeing a peace officer, reckless endangerment, impeding arrest and driving with a suspended license in the case.
In 2013, the younger Cramer was charged with misdemeanor simple assault after allegedly hitting his brother in the head.
He pleaded guilty and was given a 10-day suspended prison sentence, one year of probation and ordered to pay a $150 fine.
Earlier that same year, Cramer pleaded guilty to making a false report to authorities and possession of a controlled substance.
He was given credit for time served and told to pay a $300 fine.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn