Man who ran over 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson for being a Republican has charges downgraded to manslaughter

A 42-year-old North Dakota man who deliberately killed 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson for being "part of a Republican extremist group," is facing a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Shannon Brandt claimed that Ellingson was "part of a Republican extremist group and that he was afraid they were ‘coming to get him.'" Brandt had been drinking and had gotten into an argument with Ellingson before the killing took place.

Brandt ran Ellingson over with his SUV and then fled the scene before returning to call 911 and then leaving again before law enforcement arrived.

Brandt's claim that he was afraid of Ellingson 'coming to get him,' doesn't hold up, as Ellingson made a phone call to his mother stating that he was being chased by Brandt.

So, despite the fact that Ellingson was hunted down and killed because of his political beliefs, prosecutors downgraded Brandt's charge to manslaughter from homicide, meaning Brandt will face a maximum of just 10 years.

The prosecutor in this case needs to be fired and never work in the criminal justice system again. The message this decision sends makes it clear that unhinged individuals should feel free to hunt down and kill Republicans.