PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that a Sanborn County grand jury has indicted Matthew Walter Novak, 33, Woonsocket, charging him with alternate counts of first degree murder, second degree murder and first degree manslaughter. The penalty for first degree murder, class A felony, is a mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary or death. The penalty for second degree murder, class B felony, is a mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary.  The maximum penalty for first degree manslaughter, class C felony, is up to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary and/or $50,000 fine.

The indictment charged that on or about August 31, 2016, Novak murdered Jennifer Ann Gibson at their place of residence located in Woonsocket.

Novak is presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Sanborn County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

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