(Pierre) –In a unanimous decision, the South Dakota Supreme Court upheld the murder conviction of David George Aesoph. Aesoph was sentenced to life in prison for the 1999 murder of his wife Tania. 

“David Aesoph was a cold-blooded murderer who had planned his wife’s death for years. The jury found the truth, and we are happy that the Supreme Court upheld the conviction. David Aesoph will remain where he belongs, in prison, behind bars,” said Chief Deputy Attorney General Larry Long. 

Aesoph went before the Supreme Court in March to appeal numerous issues including the admission of an expert testimony, the jury selection process, the denial of a new trial, and admission of prior statements by the victim. All of Aesoph’s claims were rejected by the court on Wednesday. 

Aesoph has the option of challenging his conviction through a writ of habeas corpus in civil court. 

The murder trial was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Patricia Froning and Paul Bachand in conjunction with the Hyde County States Attorney, David Axtmann. The appeal was argued on behalf of the state by Assistant Attorney General Ann Meyer. 

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