JULY 25, 2023:
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that Francis Lange has been sentenced to life in prison after he had earlier pled guilty to a 2021 triple homicide that occurred in Scotland.
Lange was sentenced Monday (July 24, 2023) in Bon Homme Circuit Court after he had earlier pled guilty but mentally ill to three counts of Murder in the First Degree and to two counts of Aggravated Assault. The defendant received consecutive life sentences for each murder charge and 15-year consecutive sentences for each aggravated assault charge.
“The sentencing today brings some resolution to this tragic case and justice for the victim’s family,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This was a cooperative effort between state and local law enforcement and prosecutors.”
Lange shot and killed three people during an incident Nov.9, 2021 in a Scotland home. Two other individuals received gunshot wounds.
Agencies involved in investigating the shooting were the State Division of Criminal Investigation, the Bon Homme County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Prosecution of the case was handled by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and Bon Homme County State’s Attorney’s Lisa Rothschadl.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 11, 2021:
SCOTLAND, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota man has been charged with murder and other counts for allegedly gunning down his ex-girlfriend, her father and another woman, and wounding his ex-girlfriend’s mother and a young child. The Yankton Press and Dakotan reports that 42-year-old Francis Lange made an initial appearance Wednesday (Nov. 10, 2021) in Bon Homme County Circuit Court. He faces six charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, in the Tuesday evening attack in Scotland, a small community in the southeast of the state. Authorities say Lange went to the home of his ex-girlfriend Angela Monclova and fatally shot her, her father Librado Monclova, and Diane Akins, and wounded his ex-girlfriend’s mother, Vicki Monclova, and a 5-year-old girl. He was arrested later that night.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2021:
Yesterday (November 9, 2021) evening, the Bon Homme County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots-fired at a residence in Scotland, South Dakota.
Upon arrival, two subjects were found dead, three others had gunshot wounds, one of which later succumbed due to their injuries.
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation special agents looking into the matter have arrested Francis D. Lange on charges that include three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated assault. Initial indication is the incident stemmed from a domestic-related altercation.
While this is still an ongoing investigation, authorities say there is no threat to the public or the community of Scotland.
Assisting with the response and investigation are the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Bon Homme County Sheriff’s Office.
ORIGINAL STORY NOVEMBER 9, 2021:
A shooting occurred yesterday evening (Nov. 9, 2021) at a home near City Hall in Scotland.
Early information indicates there are two fatalities. A third person was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two other people were also injured; their status is unknown at this time. A total of five people were injured.
A male suspect was taken into custody in Scotland by Bon Homme County Sheriff and assisting local police officers. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
The South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation and South Dakota Highway Patrol were also on scene to assist the sheriff’s office.
(WNAX Radio contributed to this story.)
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