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Minot man pleads guilty to murder of stepbrother

Damion Michael Allen Colvin, 23, Minot, pleaded guilty on Monday to a reduced charge of Class A felony murder in the shooting death of his stepbrother, Andrew Parisien, 21, following an altercation on May 13, 2020, at a Minot residence.

The defense stated that the A felony is more appropriate given the circumstances and alleged that the victim had previously threatened Colvin and had a history of violence against family members and Colvin was under emotional duress.

According to court documents and statements at court hearings, Colvin had argued with his stepbrother and asked him to leave his residence. The argument continued outside the home and escalated to a physical “tussle.” Colvin went back into the residence, grabbed his girlfriend’s gun and went back outside to shoot Parisien multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Parisien sustained four gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. When police arrived, Colvin told Minot Police Investigator Carmen Asham, “I did it. I shot him.”

Colvin had originally been charged with Class AA felony murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The Class A felony murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a minimum of four years in prison because a weapon was involved in commission of the crime.

Colvin was scheduled to go to trial next week on the Class AA felony murder charge.

A prosecutor said the state offered the plea deal to avoid the cost of a trial and to spare the family from having to testify. She acknowledged that the family would have preferred the Class AA felony charge and a sentence of life but the prosecution explained the possibility that Colvin might be acquitted at trial and they were in agreement with the plea deal.

North Central District Judge Gary Lee accepted the guilty plea but said he is not ready to discuss sentencing. Lee ordered a pre-trial investigation that will include a psychological evaluation and a drug and alcohol evaluation for Colvin.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 before Lee. Family members of the victim will be given the chance to testify at the sentencing hearing prior to sentencing.

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