Man will spend the rest of his life in prison in connection to premediated murder of friend

Bismarck, North Dakota – The 29-year-old Bismarck native who confessed the murder of a friend will spend apparently the rest of his life in prison.

Diego Ashton pleaded guilty of killing Robert Becker in June 2021.

Ashton previously told officers that he became tired of Becker constantly teasing him regarding his mental health issues and decided to end it by killing him.

Ashton and Becker went to a closed gas station in October last year where Ashton shot Becker, pushed him out of the car and fled the scene.

Ashton is sentenced to 43 years in prison.