NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Nicholas Poitra, 46, of Belcourt, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for fatally shooting Troyal Thumb, 30, after an argument in a Sheyenne bar last year. Poitra received his sentence on Wednesday from Southeast District Judge James Hovey, who also sentenced him on felony terrorizing, robbery, and weapons counts.

Authorities reported that Poitra shot Thumb, a father of four, with a shotgun on February 19, 2023. After the shooting, Poitra stole a vehicle at gunpoint, leading to a three-day manhunt. He was considered armed and extremely dangerous until a farmer encountered him and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Initially pleading not guilty, Poitra changed his pleas to guilty this past February to murder and 10 other charges. Court documents do not indicate any plea agreement with prosecutors. His sentences for the 10 other felony charges will be served concurrently with his life term for murder.

Judge Hovey credited Poitra with about one year and three months already spent in custody. Poitra will be eligible for parole in 30 years, at which time he will be approximately 75 years old.