Supreme Court Dismisses Anderson Appeal

(Pierre) – The South Dakota Supreme Court today dismissed the appeal of Robert Leroy Anderson and refused to vacate his criminal convictions for the kidnapping and murder of Larisa Dumansky and the rape and murder of Piper Streyle.

In a unanimous decision, the state’s highest court ruled that if the defendant elected to take his own life before the appeal decision was issued, he should not be able to erase his criminal conviction through suicide. The court stated that his underlying criminal convictions would have been affirmed regardless of the death penalty questions.

“We are delighted by the decision of the court,” said Attorney General Larry Long. “This decision now gives the victim’s families closure and preserves the verdict for the victims, officers, lab agents, jurors and all those involved in this case.”

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