MINOT – What was to have been a sentencing appearance for a man who previously pled guilty to multiple felony charges was delayed Thursday afternoon.
Joshua Chambers, 19, Minot, appeared along with his court appointed attorney, before Judge Richard Hagar. The attorney explained to Hagar that his defendant possessed only a fourth-grade level of understanding and that Chambers “can’t comprehend and doesn’t understand the ramifications” of a proposed plea agreement from the state.
Hagar said he had “no objection” to additional time needed to explain the State’s plea agreement to Chambers and would also consider a request for a change of counsel. No date for another sentencing hearing was set.
On February 2, 2023, Chambers led law enforcement on a high-speed chase that began with a gasoline drive-off in Wilton and ended in Minot with several vehicles, including those from law enforcement, being damaged. At one point during the chase, which reached speeds of 96 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 83, Chambers attempted to run over a sheriff’s deputy. The deputy responded by firing two shots at the Chamber’s operated vehicle which had been reported to be stolen.
Chambers had 37 points on his North Dakota driver’s license at the time of his arrest. Driver’s licenses are suspended once 12 points are accumulated. Twelve charges against Chambers were dismissed as part of a plea agreement with the State.
The most serious charge is Attempted Murder, a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The total possible prison time on all charges is 55 years.
