In the quiet city of Mandan, North Dakota, the life of 28-year-old Alex Lansdon was tragically cut short on January 31, 2014. On that cold winter night, inside the presumed safety of his own home, Lansdon was shot and killed. The incident shattered the peace of the community and left friends and family searching for answers.
The investigation into the violent death soon pointed to a neighbor, Jonathan McKinney, who was 24 years old at the time.
Evidence gathered by law enforcement indicated that the night of the killing was fueled by the use of drugs and alcohol. The tragic event was described as being connected to a violent drug operation with roots in California, and McKinney was said to be on the lower rungs of this enterprise.
Ultimately, Jonathan McKinney was arrested and faced a murder charge for the death of his neighbor. In a turn of legal maneuvering, McKinney entered an Alford plea. This plea meant that he did not admit guilt but acknowledged that the prosecution had enough evidence to likely secure a conviction. As a result of this plea, McKinney was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the death of Alex Lansdon. He also pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and tampering with evidence.
