A 50-year-old St. Joseph man has been found guilty of attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree burglary as well as other felony charges in a case that dates back to the summer of 2008.  Jerry Lee Thompson waived his right to a jury trial and the case was heard by judge Vicki Landwehr in Stearns County.

Thompson kidnapped his estranged wife at gunpoint early in the morning of August 5, 2008. She lived in Fairhaven Township when he entered her garage and forced her to drive.  A chase with Wright County deputies ensued…resulting in a crash, the victim was able to escape the situation, and Thompson was shot by a deputy after he grabbed his own gun.

The judge, in a written ruling, found several aggravating factors had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt in the case that spanned several previous incidents, including crimes in the presence of children and the use of firearms. These factors could increase Thompson’s sentence, which is scheduled for March 25 in Stearns County.