Guilty verdict assures life sentence

James Montano, on trial for a murder and assault in rural Carlton County in April 2018, was found guilty on all three of the charges against him Wednesday: first-degree premeditated murder and intentional second-degree murder for the shooting death of his uncle, Andrew Gokee; and the attempted premeditated first-degree murder of his cousin, Hudson Gauthier.

The jury heard closing arguments Tuesday afternoon after six days of testimony and deliberated late into the evening before reaching the verdict just after midnight Wednesday. Premeditated first-degree murder carries a mandatory life senten...