Wednesday, March 21, 2001

Cramm rioter expresses remorse

By Scott North

Herald Writer

When talk at Dennis Cramm's home turned to plans for a potential armed confrontation, Christoffer William Dinsmore, 20, was among those who broke out the guns.

The fistfight outside Cramm's south Everett home escalated into gunfire and ended with two deaths on May 30, 2000.

On Tuesday, Dinsmore stood in front of a Snohomish County judge and expressed his regret.

"Basically, I wish this had never happened. It was the worst thing that happened in my whole life," Dinsmore said.

Superior Court Judge Linda Krese told the Kenmore man she was sure he wasn't alone in his wish.

Dinsmore earlier pleaded guilty to a single count of felony riot for his role in the Cramm melee.

In keeping with an agreement Dinsmore reached with prosecutors, she sentenced him to 25 days in jail. Dinsmore already served the time immediately after the shootings.

A sheet-metal worker, Dinsmore had lived at Cramm's south Everett home. He admitted helping others introduce military-style firearms into the mix that night.

Cramm, 18, was convicted Feb. 26 of two counts of first-degree murder. A jury ruled he acted with extreme indifference to human life by firing an SKS rifle into a car, fatally wounding Jesse Stoner and Jason Thompson, both 18.

Cramm faces a minimum 51 years in prison, according to prosecutors. His sentencing is now scheduled for April 5.

Dinsmore was charged shortly after the shootings with second-degree murder. But prosecutors abandoned the charge after he agreed to testify at Cramm's trial. Evidence showed that he did not fire any of the weapons used that night.

The riot conviction is Dinsmore's first brush with the law. Krese advised him that the conviction means he may not legally possess any firearms and that he must comply with post-sentence supervision.

"I would hope I'll never see you again on something like this," Krese said.

"So would I," Dinsmore replied.