FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 4, 2019

PIERRE, S.D. –  South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg confirms that on November 4, 2019, at approximately 7:35 p.m., Charles Russell Rhines was given lethal injections to end his life to answer for his crimes.

In his statement to the media following the execution Attorney General Ravnsborg said the following:

Today I would like to remember Donnivan Scahefer, the victim who was brutally murdered by the killer who met justice earlier.  

Donnivan was an intelligent man set to graduate from Western Dakota Tech

Donnivan was an award-winning archer who loved hunting and fishing

Donnivan was funny, kind and a hard worker, prepared to start a career with a telephone installation company.

Donnivan was engaged to be married with a great life ahead of him and, if he was with us today, he would be looking forward to his 50th birthday and looking at all the things his life had produced.

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for the fact that Donnivan was killed but I am glad we were finally able to get justice for him today.

I am hopeful that this day is an opportunity for the family to move forward and now, that this phase is over, they can continue to heal.

May God Bless Donnivan and his family.

As directed under SDCL 23A-27A-40.1, the warden of the South Dakota State Penitentiary will prepare and sign a certificate of execution within ten days of this date and file the same with the office of the clerk of the sentencing court.

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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the State of South Dakota and provides legal advice to agencies, boards, and commissions of the State as well as representing the State in state and federal court.  The Office of Attorney General also handles prosecutions, felony criminal appeals, civil matters, consumer protection issues, and issues formal opinions interpreting statutes for agencies of the state.  Visit www.atg.sd.gov to learn more.

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CONTACT: Tim Bormann, Chief of Staff, (605) 773-3215