Chad Isaak sentenced to life in prison without parole for RJR murders

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Chad Isaak will see life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of William Cobb, Lois Cobb, Adam Fuehrer and Robert Fakler.

In August, Isaak was convicted of killing the four RJR Maintenance and Management Employees. Prosecutors said he planned and carried out the crimes — fatally shooting three of the victims and stabbing the four victims more than 100 times in the early morning hours of April 1, 2019, before he traveled back to his home in Washburn, ND.

Questions remained after the verdict. Isaak was a former Navy medic which prosecutors suggested gave Isaak the capability to commit the crimes, but they did not present a clear motive for Isaak during the trial. Judge David Reich ordered a presentence investigation before passing a sentence.

At the sentencing hearing Tuesday, Judge Reich considered victim impact statements and information gleaned from an investigation into Isaak’s background.

Family members of the victims stated that they did not believe Isaak showed remorse and recounted the lives of loved ones taken too soon.

“I can honestly tell you I am not a murderer,” said Isaak, speaking for the first time to the court.

Isaak’s attorney Jesse Walstad asked Judge Reich to consider sentencing Isaak to life with the possibility of parole stating that the legal system cannot predict the future and the decision of whether Isaak can be released should be left to a parole board 30 years from now.

Taking the state’s recommendation, for each murder charge Judge Reich sentenced Isaak to life in prison without parole with credit for 1,000 days served. Each sentence will run consecutively.

For a burglary charge, the judge sentenced Isaak to a straight 10 years to run concurrent with count one.

For the concealment within a vehicle charge, the judge sentenced Isaak to five years to run concurrent with counts one and five.

For unauthorized use of a vehicle, the judge sentenced Isaak to 360 days with credit for time served.

Restitution will remain open for 60 days.

Judge David Reich stated that Isaak took the lives of the four victims in a “senseless” act and did not believe he showed remorse.

Family members of the victims clapped and sobbed but Isaak did not react when the sentence was passed.

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