How much jail time for Jerry Lundegaard and Gaear Grimsrud? - Fargo (1996) Discussion

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

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[–] BlackMass (1009) 4 years ago

Indeed. Assault and parole violation, although he remains a fugitive, IIRC.

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[–] Threadkiller (3080) 4 years ago

At worst parole violation, assuming Marge decided to make it an issue
which seems unlikely since he cooperated & gave her information. He wouldn't be charged with assault as Buscemi's character obviously wouldn't have reported that incident.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

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[–] Threadkiller (3080) 4 years ago

I'm not too sure about that. The only crime that Marge was holding over his head was that it was in violation of his parole to be dealing with criminals in any capacity. He was a go between who didn't have any specific knowledge of the shady business Jerry was up to. All he did was help set up a meeting

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

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[–] Threadkiller (3080) 4 years ago

Outside of the parole violation I see very little that they would have on him. It's all circumstantial and suspicion but nothing that directly ties him to any of the crimes. I actually forgot about the neighbor that he beats up. That could potentially be a big deal for him if the guy reported it which realistically seems probable unless he was into something shady himself.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Isn’t that character from the Hobbit?

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[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

You're thinking of the TV series. This is the movie.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Multiple deaths including a state trooper. In Texas or Florida, Grimsrud would get death penalty. In Minnesota, he will be in jail for the rest of his life. Jerry is also very unlikely to ever be a free man again. Life for both of them, I would think

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[–] AP (5288) 4 years ago

Would Jerry have gotten life if he never killed anyone directly? I'm sure it'd be several years and he'd be an old man when he got out, but I'm not sure his actions would result in life imprisonment.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I am not a lawyer, and I don’t even play one on TV. however, I still think he has life in jail coming to him. his actions are what started the whole process. he would be held responsible for the actions of those he paid to commit crime.

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[–] Threadkiller (3080) 4 years ago

I imagine it could be a pretty hefty sentence but life in prison seems unlikely. Depending on the state law & depending on the quality of lawyer would factor in significantly.

Plenty of murderers don't even get life on prison.

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[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

I think he might get a good behavior reprieve.

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[–] Boricanator (1440) 4 years ago

He would probably get charged for the murder of his wife and father-in-law. Their deaths are a direct result of the crime he participated. This would fall under “felony murder rule.” And that is generally first degree murder.

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[–] AP (5288) 4 years ago

Would he be charged with the father in law’s murder since he involved himself in the kidnapping against Jerry’s wishes? Obviously, it was Jerry’s fuck up that led to that situation but he did choose to put his neck out and confront a kidnapper with a loaded gun.

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[–] Boricanator (1440) 4 years ago

I believe he would be charged since it was a kidnapping and ransom he organized. He knew that if his father-in-law went and not him, he would be in danger since the kidnappers were expecting him.

What he should’ve done is come clean and said he organized the kidnapping and stop the father-in-law from going. Then call the police. This could have prevented his father-in-law also being murdered.

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[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7704) 4 years ago

He was a meek man and found his father in law intimidating. He would not have been able to convince him not to go. I know the police aren't going to accept that. Also even though he hired them I do not think he would be charged with the murder of the cop, the 2 people in the car, his wife, or his father in law. While he may have hired them to kidnap his wife those murders are on Carl and Gare. Jerry would be charged with kidnapping and theft of a car but I do not think those murders can fall on Jerry. That was Carl's and Gare's doing.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

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[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7704) 4 years ago

I can sort of see that but still Jerry maybe held somewhat responsible but I personally don't think he can be charged with those murders. Now thinking of it though, those murders only happened because they had that car illegally and the cop was going to arrrest them for it. And for trying to bribe him. Yeah. Jerry maybe somewhat responsible for that situation but Gare is the one who killed the cop and both Carl and Gare didn't have to kill the 2 people in the car since they didn't even getthat good of a look at them. That was totally unnecessary on their part.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

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[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7704) 4 years ago

I guess you are right. As I just said in my reply he did illegally give that car to Carl and Gare which is what lead to the murder of the cop and the other 2 murders on the highway. Though it was partly because Carl tried to bribe the cop and the cop wanted to arrest him since the bribe made him think he'd stolen the car.

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[–] Boricanator (1440) 4 years ago

In real life, he would be charged for first degree murder of the wife and the father-in-law.

It doesn’t matter that he was a meek man. As a citizen he had duty to come out clean and go to the cops.

The rest, I am on the fence. But I no doubt about the other two. This is clear cut felony murder rule.

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[–] Clouseau2 (164) 3 years ago

He was an accessory to multiple murders. He definitely deserved life in prison. Maybe he gets out in 20 years after good behavior.

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[–] kenburke (2377) 3 years ago

SPOILERS WARNING:

Lundegaard- as the mastermind of a kidnapping that lead to several homicides (the murder of a police officer and the kidnap victim being the most serious) Lundergaard would either be sentenced to death or life without parole.

Grimsrud- as the triggerman who committed several homicides (the murder of a police officer and the kidnap victim being the most serious) Grimsrud would either be sentenced to death or life without parole.

The prosecutors might get Grimsrud to testify against Lundegaard (ala Law and Order) out of anger or for a sentence reduction.

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[–] sONOMArEturns (1256) 2 years ago

Since Grimsrud was the one who commit all the murders, there's no way he wouldn't get the death penalty, and there's no way he could get a reduced sentence. Killing cops is unforgivable to law, even in self-defense. Assuming Lundegaard had a clean record, he probably got 50 to life, with the possibility of parole after maybe 30 years.

Shep also probably saw some time for his contributions, probably 10-15 years due to a violation of parole.

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[–] e3e34ifj (1912) a year ago

this is probably the most accurate thing on here. People forget Shep helped out but he could maybe get a reduced sentence if he made a plea bargain.

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[–] lemonhead1 (424) a year ago

Gaer would be charged with capital murder of the police officer as well as the other two victims along with the wife in North Dakota, since that is where it happened, then he'd be charged with kidnapping in Minnesota. Also, he'd be charged with conspiracy, since they planned it in advance. He'd plead guilty, because he is far too lazy to even speak up in his defense. He aint ever getting out!
Jerry would be charged with a whole slew of crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and maybe even murder. I also think Shep Proudfoot would be sent back to Stillwater for parole violation as well as conspiracy and possibly even murder for arranging the parties, although I don't think Gaer would open his mouth in court to say anything against Shep. There really is no proof other than the calls, as well as the separate issue of assault against his neighbor. Shep wouldn't open his mouth either. Jerry would plead guilty, because he's a coward.

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