South Dakota’s Supreme Court has upheld an attempted first-degree murder conviction in a case that was prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office in two jury trials and then defended on appeal.
Derek At The Straight was convicted in August, 2021, for shooting another man at a Pierre residence in July, 2020. At his trial, At The Straight was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault and commission of a felony with a fireman. At a second jury trial, the defendant was found guilty of being a habitual offender.
In his appeal, At The Straight argued that the state did not present enough physical and forensic evidence to convict him. But the judges, in an unanimous decision released Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023), disagreed, saying the evidence was “substantial,” “significant,” and “compelling.”
To read the court decision, click this link: State of South Dakota v. Derek At The Straight Decision
Comments