Jerry Lee Thompson, DOB 2/24/59, was convicted today (Thursday, Dec. 17, of three counts of attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping, and first-degree burglary, as well as other felony assault charges involving three separate victims arising out of a domestic violence incident in Fairhaven Township Aug. 5, 2008. Thompson waived his right to a jury trial and the case was heard by the Honorable Vicki Landwehr. Judge Landwehr also found that the existence of several aggravating factors had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, including commission of the crimes in the presence of children, use of a firearm to commit the crimes, and the particularly serious manner in which the crimes were committed. Aggravating factors can be used to increase an offender’s sentence beyond the standard sentence authorized by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
Thompson will be sentenced March 25, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Landwehr. The state will seek an aggravated upward departure sentence.
Thompson guilty of attempted first degree murder
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