Man Gets 3 1/2 Years for Fairbanks Road Rage Death

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By Sam Friedman - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner / sfriedman@newsminer.com

Story Created: Aug 2, 2012 at 8:39 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 2, 2012 at 8:39 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — The criminal prosecution of a Fairbanks road-rage killing quietly came to a conclusion at a court hearing last month when the killer agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter.

As part of a plea agreement, Michael C. Bostick, 45, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail for the stabbing of Tim Lund, 55, outside Frontier Outfitters in spring 2011, according to court log notes.

Bostick, whose name was spelled “Bostic” in previous court documents, went on trial in December. The Fairbanks jury acquitted him on the charge of first-degree murder but was unable to reach a decision on whether Bostick acted in self-defense. Bostick’s attorney argued in trial that Bostick stabbed Lund in the stomach because Lund’s son Wally Lund had entered the fight, making his client feel threatened.

The fight began because of a driving dispute between the two men, who did not know each other, and prosecutors argued Bostick showed premeditation by flashing a sheathed knife before approaching Tim Lund.

Bostick was scheduled to go to trial again on the charge of second-degree murder July 16. At a scheduling hearing July 11, lawyers announced they reached a plea agreement and Bostick entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Prosecutors also agreed to accept as mitigating circumstance that the crime was “committed under duress, coercion, threat or compulsion.”

Bostick’s new attorney Robert Noreen with the state Office of Public Advocacy said on behalf of his client that Bostick has said he was saddened by the stabbing and never wanted it to happen, according to log notes.

He also asked whether Bostick will be able to bow hunt during three years of probation following his release.

Superior Court Judge Paul Lyle said a hunting bow was a weapon and would not be allowed during Bostick’s probation.

Bostick also will forfeit the knife used in the stabbing. Another probation condition restricts him from going near witnesses in the case or Frontier Outfitters, where members of the Lund family work.

Lund’s family came to the change of plea but did not make any statements in court about the resolution of the case, according to the log notes. At an early court hearing in the case, Wally Lund hurled a series of threats at Bostick when it was announced Bostick would try to argue he acted in self defense.

Contact Fairbanks Daily News-Miner staff writer Sam Friedman at 907-459-7545. Follow him on Twitter, @FDNMcrime.
 

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truth said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 10:33 AM

WOW so in fairbanks you can stab someone to death in broad daylight and get a slap on the wrist, REALLY?!!! Last time I checked murder was a life sentence, but as long as you claim you were in a road rage that makes this innocent mans death justifieable aparently. R.I.P. Mr. Lund

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mikey372002 said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 11:37 AM

looks like a real man, flashing his knife at someone, lucky he didnt run into me, You never bring a knife to a gun fight, I dont go flashing my gun at every bad driver. hope the family of Mr Lund sue this worthless knife flasher, when this worless person stepped out of his vehical with a knife and showed it off it was premeditated. The jury didnt do its Job.

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Chris Nguyen said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 12:25 PM

Justice is not being serve in this case. The act of following the victim should be enough to outweight the manslaughter charge.This guy should get at least 10 years in jail before qualified for probation. Justice like this is why we have so many criminals walking the street.

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Wild West said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 3:29 PM

Time to take justice into our own hands. If this is going to be the wild west again, better pick a few good men for my posse.

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Wes said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 4:39 PM

I was trying to come up with good words, when along comes TRUTH and says it for me. Thank you, who ever you are!

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???? said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 5:09 PM

3 1/2 YRS???? my prayers to the lund's and all witnesses... who i hope will "fight city hall", in memory of tim, and to minimize the crazy guy's chance of killing anyone else.

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Mel said on Thursday, Aug 2 at 5:46 PM

Wow how is this justice.... 3 1/2 years for a life sad.

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this is sad said on Friday, Aug 3 at 11:53 AM

if bostick would have been under the influence, he would have gotten 5 years...i hope mr. lunds family can recover from this injustice

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TedtheBear said on Sunday, Aug 5 at 7:41 AM

3.5 years for taking of a human life is extremely light. Three years of probation is a joke considering that a common thief will get five automatically. Obviously, Fairbanks DA and judge don't think very highly of the victim to push for tougher punishment.

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That one chick said on Monday, Aug 6 at 11:02 AM

Well 3.5 years for killing someone in Alaska? Hmm, considering we have Troopers that will do it and get off scot-free - 3.5 years actually does seem like a lifetime. Wow! We really have NO regard for human life here in Alaska - do we?

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