Sen. Cramer’s son appears in court after deadly police chase

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – The 42-year-old son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer made his first court appearance Friday on manslaughter and other charges after he allegedly fled from authorities and crashed into a squad car, killing a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy who was taking cover behind the vehicle.

Ian Cramer, of Bismarck, was charged Thursday with multiple counts, including manslaughter, fleeing a police officer and reckless endangerment in connection with Wednesday’s pursuit and crash that killed 53-year-old Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin.

Cramer did not enter a plea on Friday — that will happen at a later hearing. He appeared in court remotely via videoconference from jail in a neighboring county. District Judge Bobbi Weiler set a $500,000 cash bond and ordered a mental health evaluation.

Cramer appeared in court without an attorney and one will be appointed for him. He said he had been receiving mental health treatment from Sanford Health before his arrest, and was working at a Bismarck pizza restaurant.