On Monday, the 43-year-old son of Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) was reportedly sentenced to 28 years in prison for the murder of Mercer County, North Dakota, Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin.
Martin was killed after the 43-year-old rammed into his vehicle during a car pursuit last December.
Ian Cramer entered a guilty plea to all charges against him in September, which included homicide while fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment, escaping an officer, and drug- and driving-related offenses.
Cramer was sentenced to 38 years of imprisonment with 10 years suspended by State District Judge Bobbi Weiler.
However, the judge indicated that Cramer would likely serve only “a small portion” of the 28-year sentence.
“The (state) Department of Corrections has their own policy on how much time you’re going to serve. 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.” Weiler stated.
Kris, Cramer’s mother, transported him to the emergency room on December 6, 2023, due to her concerns regarding his mental health.
Cramer assumed the driver’s seat and departed the hospital after Kris vacated the vehicle. He subsequently evaded deputies, which resulted in a pursuit.
While law enforcement deployed spike strips to destroy two tires on the SUV Cramer was operating, he continued to evade them.
Authorities reported that Cramer attempted to evade another set of spike strips that were deployed to impede his vehicle, but he instead collided with Martin’s patrol car, causing the deputy to be propelled 100 feet.
Martin, 53, was declared deceased at a hospital.
Martin contributed to his community for 18 years as a member of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. He expressed his desire to retire just one week prior to his passing.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and four grandchildren.
On Monday, Cramer apologized to the deputy’s family in court.
Cramer also acknowledged using methamphetamine and bath salts on the day of the collision, according to Mercer County State’s Attorney Todd Schwarz.
The recommended treatment for Cramer’s mental health and substance addiction, as recommended by Judge Weiler.
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