Emotional testimony at sentencing for Minot murder conviction
MINOT, N.D. – The courts have sentenced 31-year-old Christopher Vickerman to 80 years in prison, in the May 2019 fatal shooting of his father, 55-year-old Mark Vickerman.
The judge sentenced him to 100 years, with 20 suspended. He will have to serve at least 85% of the sentence, or 68 years, before having the chance to apply for parole.
Christopher Vickerman was found guilty by a jury of his peers back in December. During that trial, state prosecutors painted a picture of a rocky relationship between a father and son, which was made evident again during Tuesday’s sentencing.
Mark’s wife Anastasia Vickerman shared her victim impact statement to the court.
Afterward, the ruling judge said what Christopher did was “inexcusable.”
Anastasia Vickerman, the woman who lost her husband Mark Vickerman at the hands of her son Christopher, had the chance to speak to not only the judge but to Christopher directly during his sentencing hearing Tuesday afternoon.
”My heart is shattered. People do not know what I’ve gone through and they cannot possibly understand, because I cannot even put into words what I’ve gone through,” said Anastasia.
Through tearful testimony, she told Christopher that she needs time to heal and that she thinks it would be best for him to stay in prison.
”One day I hope to hear from you, to tell me that you are sorry. Not to say you’re sorry that you broke my heart, but to say you’re sorry for what you did,” said Anastasia.
Presiding Judge Douglas Mattson was moved by her words.
”She made more of a plea for her grandchildren, your children, than for her. You have profoundly damaged a family that has a ton of pride,” said Mattson.
Christopher then had a chance to address the court.
”To think that I might be punished for the rest of my life for something I had zero control over is frightening,” said Christopher.
After deliberation between the prosecution and defense, Mattson sentenced Vickerman to at least 68 years in prison before having the chance of parole.
”I’ve looked at this case and I’ve compared it to other murder cases I’ve had. It is... inexcusable,” said Mattson.
In addition to the 80 year prison sentence, Vickerman was ordered to not have any contact with his mother, unless she initiates it. A painful ending to a more than two year long tragedy.
Christopher will receive credit for close to three years of time already served.
He can appeal the sentence to the North Dakota Supreme Court in the next 30 days.
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