Man accused in beheading sues after more than three years in jail, not-guilty verdict
Jeremiah Peacemaker sues Watertown, state of South Dakota after prosecution in 2020 murder
A man who was jailed for nearly four years before being found not guilty of a grisly murder has filed suit against the city of Watertown and state officials, alleging he was maliciously prosecuted.
Jeremiah Peacemaker’s lawsuit names nearly three dozen defendants, including Watertown police officials, agents with the Division of Criminal Investigation, employees of the South Dakota Forensics Lab, current Attorney General Marty Jackley and two former attorneys general, Mark Vargo and Jason Ravnsborg.
Peacemaker’s 66-page complaint details a long laundry list of what he alleges was a botched investigation into the murder of Kendra Owen. After being arrested for the murder on Sept. 3, 2020, Peacemaker was found not-guilty on March 5, 2024 by a 12-member jury.
DNC threatens South Dakota over voter data sharing with Trump administration
South Dakota will face legal action if state voter rolls are turned over to President Donald Trump’s administration.
