By Associated Press - Wednesday, January 6, 2021

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A man serving a life sentence for the murders of two U.S. marshals who were killed in a shootout near a small North Dakota town nearly four decades ago wants to be released from prison after testing positive for COVID-19.

Scott Faul, 67, has been in federal custody since 1983. Faul, along with Gordon Kahl and Kahl’s son, Yorie, were involved in a shootout with law enforcement officers near Medina, about 120 miles (193.12 kilometers) west of Fargo. The incident gained national attention in part because Gordon Kahl was a leader of a group of tax protesters.

The shootout resulted in the deaths of U.S. Marshal Kenneth Muir and Deputy Marshal Robert Cheshire.

Faul said in court documents he recently tested positive for COVID-19 and he suffers from a chronic breathing problem, KVRR-TV reports.

U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley responded that the government “strongly opposes” the motion. Wrigley said Faul “has not shown an extraordinary and compelling reason permitting consideration of a compassionate release.”

Gordon Kahl, a member of the Posse Comitatus movement, was the target of a nationwide manhunt. He was eventually tracked down in Arkansas, where he was shot and killed in a confrontation with law enforcement.

Faul’s federal public defender did not immediately return an email request seeking comment.

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