FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 13, 2017    
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215   

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley and Day County States Attorney Danny Smeins announced today that a Day County jury returned a verdict finding Jason Lewandowski, 46, Rosyln, guilty of one count of first degree murder while engaged in the perpetration of burglary, a class A felony, mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary or death, and a $50,000 fine;  one count of second degree murder, a Class B felony, mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary, and a $50,000 fine; one count of commission of a felony while armed with a firearm, class 2 felony, punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment and/or $50,000 fine; and one count of burglary in first degree, class 2 felony, punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment and/or $50,000 fine.  
Lewandowski was immediately sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. 
“I want to extend my appreciation to the men and women serving on the jury for their service on this tragic case, along with the investigators and prosecutors for their difficult work,” said Jackley.  “My thoughts remain with Jeremy’s wife and his family.”
These charges stem from an incident that occurred at a residence in rural Day County on November 20, 2015, where Lewandowski entered the victim’s residence and shot the victim with a handgun. The victim, Jeremy Hendrickson, died December 9, 2015, as a result of the shooting.
This case was investigated by the Day County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Day County States Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.

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