North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley called on State Senator Jeff Magrum to withdraw a proposed legislative resolution seeking clemency for Yorie Kahl and Scott Faul, who were convicted for their roles in the 1983 Medina shootout that killed two U.S. Marshals, citing the brutality of the crimes and a lack of remorse from the inmates.
The 1983 Medina Shootout and Current Clemency Push
More than four decades after the fatal confrontation in a small North Dakota community, the fallout from the Medina shootout has re-entered the state’s political arena. According to reporting from KFYR-TV, the incident occurred in 1983 when U.S. Marshal Service personnel Robert Cheshire, Jr., and Kenneth Muir were killed while attempting to arrest Gordon Kahl. In the subsequent legal proceedings, a jury convicted Scott Faul and Gordon’s son, Yorie Kahl, for their involvement. The court sentenced both men to life in prison with the chance of parole, while Gordon Kahl was later killed in a separate Arkansas shootout.
Flash forward 43 years, and Senator Jeff Magrum (R-Hazelton) has pushed to bring a clemency resolution before the state’s legislative management. Magrum stated that Faul reached out during the 2024 election cycle because Magrum was one of North Dakota’s electors, raising the off-chance of access to the president. With both men having faced denied parole bids in recent years and Yorie Kahl reportedly in failing health, Magrum argued that the aging inmates deserve consideration. “They’ve done their, they’ve served their time, and they’ve they were young men when they when they did what they did, and so I think everybody deserves a second chance,” Magrum said, according to KFYR-TV.
The Bottom Line
- Legislative Timeline: Senator Magrum aims to place the resolution before legislative management for consideration ahead of next month’s special legislative session.
- Jurisdictional Path: If approved by state lawmakers, the resolution would proceed to President Donald Trump and North Dakota’s federal congressional delegation.
- Sharp Official Pushback: Attorney General Drew Wrigley publicly demanded the resolution’s withdrawal, citing unrepentant attitudes from the convicted murderers.
Attorney General Wrigley Rejects the Resolution
North Dakota’s attorney general pushed back against the legislative push with a blunt public statement. According to KFGO and KFYR-TV coverage, Attorney General Drew Wrigley criticized the measure directly. “State Senator Jeff Magrum’s proposed resolution seeking clemency for convicted double murderers Yorie Kaul and Scott Faul completely ignores the brutality of their vicious crimes—and the fact that, all these decades later, they remain entirely unrepentant,” Wrigley stated.
“I ask Senator Magrum to reconsider his advocacy on behalf of two convicted murderers who still refuse even to acknowledge the wrongfulness of their crimes. Someone has seriously misguided Senator Magrum on this matter, and it is not too late for him to withdraw his resolution,” Wrigley added. Despite the mounting opposition, Magrum noted he is taking the procedural steps one phase at a time as the upcoming special session approaches.
| Metric / Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | 1983 |
| Key Figures Involved | Robert Cheshire, Jr., Kenneth Muir, Gordon Kahl, Yorie Kahl, Scott Faul |
| Current Proponent | State Sen. Jeff Magrum (R-Hazelton) |
| Primary State Critic | Attorney General Drew Wrigley |
Procedural Hurdles and Next Legislative Steps
The resolution faces a narrow window for adoption. Legislative management must approve the measure this Monday for it to advance to the special legislative session scheduled for next month. If the proposal clears both hurdles, it would then be routed to President Donald Trump and North Dakota’s congressional delegation for final review. When asked how he would respond if lawmakers reject or decline to take up the measure, Magrum indicated he is proceeding one step at a time.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
