Horse Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison
(Pierre) – Robert Angelo Horse, 18, will spend 40 years behind bars for his participation in the 1999 beating death of Morning Star Standing Bear.
Horse pled guilty in June to aggravated assault and robbery. Today Circuit Court Judge Jerome Eckrich sentenced Horse to the maximum penalty on both counts.
Horse was originally found guilty of aggravated kidnapping and 1st degree felony murder and sentenced to life in prison on both convictions. That guilty verdict was later overturned by the South Dakota Supreme Court. The case was remanded to juvenile court.
Instead of re-trying the case, Horse entered into a plea agreement with the state.
“What Horse and the others did to that young lady is absolutely appalling. I think his sentencing is appropriate and I’m pleased that Morning Star’s family will finally have some closure,” said Chief Deputy Attorney General Larry Long.
In a separate trail, Dawn Frazier was also tried for her participation in the death of Standing Bear. Frazier was found guilty of kidnapping and felony murder. She’s been sentenced to life in prison on both counts. Chaske White waived his right to a jury trail and pled guilty to the 1st degree murder and kidnapping of Standing Bear. White received life imprisonment for both counts.
This case was tried by the Attorney General’s office and the Meade County States Attorney.
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