Closing arguments were delivered in the sentencing hearing of a Fort Belknap tribal member who has been convicted of murdering a police officer, another tribal member.

Laurence D. Jackson Jr., 28, made a personal plea for leniency. He asked the judge to spare his life as his lawyers cited mitigating circumstances for the shooting death of Blaine County Deputy Sheriff Joshua Rutherford in May 2003.

Jackson suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome, was extremely intoxicated the night of the shooting and has a history of substance abuse and crimes, his lawyers said. These circumstances should spare him from the death penalty, they argued.

The county attorney rejected Jackson's defenses. Yvonne Laird said Jackson should be held responsible for murdering Rutherford, who was 28 at the time of his death.

The hearing is being held for Jackson's deliberate homicide conviction. The judge will hold a separate hearing for his attempted deliberate homicide conviction.

Get the Story:
Murderer asks judge for leniency (The Great Falls Tribune 12/6)

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