A man serving 25 years in prison for his part in a 2003 shootout with police has been denied parole on a reckless endangerment conviction.

The North Dakota Parole Board on Monday denied Brandon Keller, 23, parole on the Class Cfelony conviction, for which he is serving five years in prison, Pat Bohn, deputy clerk of the parole board, said.

Keller of West Fargo was convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and reckless endangerment for his role in the August 2003 gun battle at a mobile home in south Bismarck. Keller's companion, Mike Sherman, 27, of Fargo was killed and Bismarck Police Sgt. Steve Lundin was wounded in the shootout.

The 14-hour standoff began after police entered the home to search for drugs and the two men, who had arrest warrants outstanding and were methamphetamine users.

Keller and Sherman barricaded themselves in a back bedroom, shot at officers through the closed door and later fired at authorities through a window. Sherman was shot in the ribs and was found dead after the standoff. The bullet that hit Lundin had come from Keller's gun.

Bohn said the parole board reviewed on Monday whether to allow Keller to be paroled on the five-year reckless endangerment sentence. Had Keller been paroled, he would have started serving a 20-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder about a year earlier than scheduled.

The parole board chose not to allow him to start the second sentence because of the serious nature of the offenses, Bohn said.

Keller's release date, assuming he gets time off for good behavior, is Feb. 15, 2029, Bohn said.

Keller has to serve 85 percent of the 20-year sentence because the convictions were for crimes of violence, Bohn said.

Prisoners have to earn time off of sentences, Bohn said. He said "good time" can be earned or taken away. To get out early, prisoners must be in compliance with institution rules. Such things as write-ups and failure to participate in recommended programs and treatment can result in losing good time.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)