Watertown beheading trial 'journey through the science of criminal investigation'
Peacemaker, 44, was accused of stabbing and decapitating Kendra Owen, 28; found not guilty by jury
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Jeremiah Peacemaker was found not guilty of stabbing and decapitating Kendra Owen by a Codington County jury on Tuesday.
The verdict was announced about 10:45 p.m.
Lawyers for the State of South Dakota and Peacemaker made their closing arguments on Tuesday, sending the case to the jury about 12:40 p.m.
Peacemaker, 44, was arrested on Sept. 3, 2020, and has been in custody in the Codington County Jail ever since. The trail was a journey through the science of criminal investigation and the dysfunction of broken people.
The weapon used to stab Owen 16 times in the neck and head and cut off her head was never found. There was no obvious motive for the killing and the defense focused continually on people who may have cause to see Owen dead.
Prosecutors say in the early morning hours of Aug. 24, 2020, Peacemaker killed Owen.
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