BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A federal judge has denied a sentence reduction sought by a man convicted of murder and other charges stemming from a 1983 shootout in North Dakota which took the lives of two U.S. marshals.
Scott Faul argued that his breathing problems and conditions of his incarceration have created an increased risk of complications from COVID-19. According to federal documents, Faul also says his imprisonment is unlawful because of bias and insufficient evidence.
Faul was sentenced to life in prison on murder charges and an additional 15 years on other offenses.
U.S. District Judge Peter Welte recently denied Faul’s request, saying it’s up to the federal Bureau of Prisons to file a motion with the court for compassionate release.
Welte also said Faul’s allegations of bias and insufficient evidence “attacks the same judgment on the same grounds” as his previously rejected motions, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
Faul was a member of an anti-government group called the Posse Comitatus when he was involved in the 1983 shootout near Medina during which marshals Kenneth Muir and Robert Cheshire were killed.
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