The Hoople, N.D., man accused of shooting a couple in a van in a dispute over a girlfriend pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder on Friday in Walsh County District Court.
Jason Alan Mize, 30, will serve up to 12 years in prison and will have eight years suspended and five years of probation following his release.
"I am very satisfied with the resolution of the case," Walsh County State's Attorney Barb Whelan said. "We had contact with the victims and they understood it is a serious crime and a serious sentence."
Mize was accused of shooting Thomas Scott Denault, 43, of Park River, N.D., and Sierra Dawn Hobbs, 19, of Crystal, N.D., early on the morning of Nov. 24 while they were sleeping in a van in the Northern Valley Growers potato warehouse north of Hoople.
Mize and Denault had an argument earlier in the night about Hobbs, who was an ex-girlfriend of Mize's.
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Hobbs was shot in the back and Denault was shot in the head, one arm and the knuckle.
All three worked at Northern Valley Growers and Denault sometimes pulled his van into the warehouse on cold nights.
Sheriff's deputies later found Mize at his grandmother's house, where he appeared to be sleeping on the couch and was "obviously intoxicated," according to court documents.
Mize was initially charged with one count of attempted manslaughter and one count of attempted murder.
Attempted murder is a Class A felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The mandatory minimum sentence is four years and Whelan said it is an 85 percent rule case, which means Mize must serve 85 percent of the 12-year sentence.
Bieri is a Herald staff reporter. Reach him at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com .
