Fairbanks Sentenced to Life in Prison

MAHNOMEN, Minn. – Thomas Fairbanks was sentenced this afternoon to life in prison for the shooting death of Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Dewey.

Fairbanks was found guilty on Sept. 1 of first-degree murder by a jury of five women and seven men.

District Judge Jeff Remick also sentenced Fairbanks, who turns 35 this month, two two consecutive 10-year terms on two separate charges of second-degree assault for shooting toward two White Earth tribal conservation officers during the standoff on Feb. 18, 2009, of failing to assist Dewey after he was shot, of being a felon in possession of a firearm and of trying to steal Dewey’s squad car after he shot Dewey in the head and torso.

Defense attorney Ed Hellekson has said Fairbanks will appeal the verdict.

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