PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley and Jackson County States Attorney Daniel Van Gorp said today that Thomas Petersen, 39, Greene, Iowa has been charged with 2 counts of attempted murder, class 2 felonies with a maximum penalty of 25 years in state penitentiary, 2 counts of aggravated assault, class 3 felonies with a maximum penalty of 15 years in state penitentiary, 1 count of felony aggravated eluding a law enforcement officer, class 6 felony with a maximum penalty of 2 years in state penitentiary and 1 count of reckless driving, misdemeanor. Charges stem from a vehicle pursuit in rural Jackson County on Sunday, June 4, 2011. Petersen was being sought in connection with the death of his wife in Greene, Iowa.
Petersen is scheduled to be in Pennington County this afternoon at 1 p.m. (MST) for his initial appearance. He is currently being held on no bond. Petersen is presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is continuing with their ongoing investigation and assisting the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Tuesday, June 07, 2011
CONTACT: Sara Rabern, (605) 773-3215
