PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that oral arguments have been set in the appeal of Donald Moeller. Briefing has been completed and arguments are to be held in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 16, 2011.
On May 21, 1997, Moeller was convicted of the rape and premeditated murder of 9-year-old Becky O’Connell that occurred on May 8, 1990, in Lincoln County. He was subsequently sentenced to death by the same jury. His conviction and sentence were affirmed by the South Dakota Supreme Court on August 30, 2000. Thereafter, he filed for habeas corpus relief in State Circuit Court. That petition was denied. The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the denial of state habeas on October 4, 2004. Moeller filed for federal habeas relief on Dec. 14, 2004. Federal District Court Judge Lawrence Piersol denied habeas relief on April 9, 2010.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Tuesday, May 24, 2011
CONTACT: Sara Rabern, (605) 773-3215
