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North Dakota Man Sentenced for Samurai Sword Slaying

Tyson Jo Lonebear killed his friend in Montana during a fight while both men were using methamphetamine

By Associated Press

COLSTRIP — A North Dakota man accused of killing his friend with a Samurai-style sword in Montana has been sentenced to six years in prison after accepting a plea agreement for one voluntary manslaughter charge.

The Billings Gazette reports 28-year-old Tyson Jo Lonebear was sentenced Thursday. He was originally charged with second-degree murder in the May 2016 death of 21-year-old Chay Little.

The sword stabbing occurred on a night where both Lonebear and Little had been using methamphetamine. The two began fighting and it ended in Lonebear stabbing Little in the chest.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters said Little might have assaulted Lonebear, but stabbing him was unjustified.

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