By James Macpherson, The Associated Press
Bismarck, N.D. (AP) -- A West Fargo Man Charged In A Shootout With Police That Left One Suspect Dead And An Officer Wounded Planned To Go Out “In A Blaze Of Glory,” A Prosecutor Said Friday As The Case Went To A Jury.
Brandon Keller, 19, And His Alleged Accomplice “Attempted To Cause The Death Of A Bismarck Police Officer Intentionally And Knowingly,” Assistant Burleigh County State’s Attorney Cynthia Feland Said In Her Closing Argument.
Keller’s Attorney, Wayne Goter, Told The Jury That The Only Thing His Client Is Guilty Of Is Reckless Endangerment. He Said Outside The Courtroom That Keller Shot Bismarck Police Sgt. Steve Lundin In The Thigh “To Get Him To Back Off And Leave Him Alone.”
Keller Is Charged With Attempted Murder, Conspiracy To Commit Murder, Reckless Endangerment And Being A Felon In Possession Of A Firearm. Goter Rested His Case Friday Without Calling Any Witnesses.
South Central District Judge Donald Jorgensen Denied Goter’s Motion To Acquit Keller, Or Let The Jury Consider Lesser Offenses. The Case Went To The Jury At 1:30 P.M.
The 14-Hour Standoff Involving Keller And Michael Sherman, 27, Of Fargo, And Police Began Aug. 2, When Officers Went To A Mobile Home To Search For Drugs. Sherman Was Killed By Police During The Confrontation.
Witnesses During The Trial Testified That Keller And Sherman Barricaded A Bedroom Door And Shot Through It When Swat Team Members Arrived With A Search Warrant. The Bullet-Riddled Door Served As A Backdrop Friday As Attorneys Made Their Arguments To The Jury.
Swat Team Members Said During The Trial That They Found Sherman Dead In The Living Room. They Said Keller Was In A Bedroom, With A Pouch Containing Ammunition Fastened To His Ankle.
Sherman’s Girlfriend, Kaarina Kinnunen, Testified That Keller And Sherman Told Her They Would Not Surrender To Police Without A Fight, But Never Planned To Kill Anyone.