Fairbanks Gets Life For Minnesota Deputy’s Murder

MAHNOMEN (AP) - A judge has sentenced Thomas Fairbanks to life in prison without parole for the shooting death of Mahnomen County sheriff's Deputy Chris Dewey.

A jury in Crookston convicted Fairbanks last week of first-degree murder. The conviction carries a mandatory life-without-parole sentence.

Jurors also found Fairbanks guilty of nine other charges, while acquitting him of two charges of first-degree assault on peace officers.

Judge Jeff Remick sentenced Fairbanks on each of the other nine charges -effectively adding 20 years to his life sentence.

Dewey was shot in the head and abdomen Feb. 18, 2009, while investigating a report of a drunken driver in Mahnomen. The deputy died last year of his injuries.

The defense plans to appeal the verdict.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)