ADA, MINN. (KFGO-AM) - A judge blasted Minnesota lawmakers during sentencing for a Crookston man to 20-years in prison for shooting a Norman County deputy. Steven henderson pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Deputy Nathan Warner. The Ada courtroom was packed with law officers from Norman, Polk and Clay counties.
District Judge Jeffrey Remick said that every police officer in the courtroom and across the state should be offended because the maximum sentence is only 20-years for attempting to kill an officer.
County Attorney James Brue agrees. He says the police unions need to put pressure on the legislature to increase the penalties.
Henderson's court appointed attorney asked for 14-years in prison. Investigators say Henderson shot at Deputy Warner eight times, hitting him twice, after his brother was arrested during a traffic stop near Perley last April. Warner was wearing a bullet proof vest and survived.