Bismarck man gets 10 years in prison for 2023 officer-involved shooting

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A Burleigh County judge has sentenced a Bismarck man to 10 years in prison for terrorism and reckless endangerment in an officer-involved shooting last year, in addition to the five years for a terrorizing incident , which led to shooting.

Prosecutor Julie Lawyer told the court on May 4, 2023 that Daedyn Lewellyn failed to comply with commands and reached for a weapon instead of raising his hands. She told court clerk Damien Girodat that shooting Lewellyn that day near the Interstate U-Haul storage center was justified because Lewellyn had previously pointed a gun at someone.

“Two other eyewitnesses said they clearly heard Officer Girodat shouting with his hands up. Therefore, his actions of reaching for his weapon in a situation threatened serious harm not only to Officer Girodat but also to bystanders,” the lawyer said.

The attorney asked the court to sentence Lewellyn to 10 years in prison for terrorism and reckless endangerment. Lewellyn told Judge James Hill he had the right to defend himself and believed the five-year sentence was sufficient for the first incident.

“There is no remorse that can come with this case. I mean, if you ask someone who is innocent, you can’t have any remorse for something they didn’t do,” Lewellyn said.

Judge Hill agreed with the state’s statement that it must follow the jury’s verdict and the evidence that Lewellyn did not act in self-defense.

“His training saved his life and this court believes it may have saved the lives of others. “This should never have happened,” Hill said.

The lawyer also told the court that Lewellyn would be at high risk of committing crimes if released.

Lewellyn was also ordered to complete anger management courses as well as mental health and chemical dependency evaluations while incarcerated.

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