GOP Senator’s Son Sentenced To 28 Years For Killing Deputy In Car Chase
The 43-year-old son of Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) was sentenced to 28 years in prison on Monday for killing Mercer County, North Dakota, Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin after ramming into his vehicle during a car chase last December.
In September, Ian Cramer pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him, which included homicide while fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment, fleeing an officer, and drug- and driving-related offenses, according to CNN. State District Judge Bobbi Weiler handed down Cramer’s sentence, which was 38 years with 10 years suspended, but the judge said that Cramer would likely only serve “a small portion” of the 28 years.
“The (state) Department of Corrections has their own policy on how much time you’re going to serve,” Weiler said. “These are not mandatory minimums, which means that you’re probably going to serve a small portion of that 28 years and be out on parole, so that’ll … give you an opportunity to have a second chance that Deputy Martin does not have, nor does his family have.”
Cramer was taken to the emergency room on December 6, 2023, by his mother, Kris, over concerns about his mental health. After Kris exited the vehicle at the hospital, Cramer slid into the driver’s seat and took off. He later fled from deputies, sparking a chase.
Spike strips deployed by law enforcement flattened two tires on the SUV Cramer was driving, but he continued to evade law enforcement. Another set of spike strips was deployed to stop Cramer’s vehicle, but Cramer swerved to avoid them and rammed into Martin’s patrol car, launching the deputy 100 feet, according to authorities. Martin, 53, was declared dead at a hospital.
Martin served his community with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years and, just a week before his death, discussed plans to retire. He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
Cramer issued an apology to the deputy’s family in court on Monday.
“I had no intention to do any of this. It was an accident, and I just hope that someday they can forgive me, and I think the best thing for me is to go to a hospital and just get more help,” Cramer said.
According to Mercer County State’s Attorney Todd Schwarz, Cramer also struggled with drugs and admitted to using methamphetamine and bath salts on the day of the crash. Judge Weiler’s recommended treatment for Cramer for mental health and drug addiction.
Sen. Cramer said he is “somewhat disappointed that mental health is so casually dismissed both by the court and by the prosecutor,” but added, “I don’t think there’s any question there’s not one person, including Ian, who doesn’t know that they were his choices that led to this, whatever they may be, under whatever condition, choices that go back many years.”