Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
State of South Dakota v. Maxton Pfeiffer
Date: 11-26-2024
Case Number: 30120
Judge: Jeffrey R. Connolly
Court: Circuit Court, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Pennington County, South Dakota
Plaintiff's Attorney: Pennington County, South Dakota State's Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Rapid City Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Maxton Pfeiffer shot and killed his friend Ty Scott when Pfeiffer, Scott, and others were hanging out at their friend Cody Siemonsma's apartment. Pfeiffer did not dispute that he swept Siemonsma's .45 caliber pistol in the direction of Scott and discharged the firearm. However, he maintained that he checked the pistol before doing so and believed it to be unloaded. After a seven-day trial, the jury found Pfeiffer guilty of first-degree manslaughter. He appeals, asserting the circuit court erred by failing to instruct the jury that the State had the burden of proving criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt and by refusing to give a mistake of fact instruction. He also challenges an evidentiary ruling and the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction.
State v. Pfeiffer, 2024 S.D. 71, 30120-a-PJD (S.D. Nov 26, 2024)
Rapid City, South Dakota criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with first-degree manslaughter.
Maxton Pfeiffer shot and killed his friend Ty Scott when Pfeiffer, Scott, and others were hanging out at their friend Cody Siemonsma's apartment. Pfeiffer did not dispute that he swept Siemonsma's .45 caliber pistol in the direction of Scott and discharged the firearm. However, he maintained that he checked the pistol before doing so and believed it to be unloaded. After a seven-day trial, the jury found Pfeiffer guilty of first-degree manslaughter. He appeals, asserting the circuit court erred by failing to instruct the jury that the State had the burden of proving criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt and by refusing to give a mistake of fact instruction. He also challenges an evidentiary ruling and the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction.
State v. Pfeiffer, 2024 S.D. 71, 30120-a-PJD (S.D. Nov 26, 2024)
Outcome:
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of South Dakota v. Maxton Pfeiffer?
The outcome was: Affirmed
Which court heard State of South Dakota v. Maxton Pfeiffer?
This case was heard in Circuit Court, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Pennington County, South Dakota, SD. The presiding judge was Jeffrey R. Connolly.
Who were the attorneys in State of South Dakota v. Maxton Pfeiffer?
Plaintiff's attorney: Pennington County, South Dakota State's Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Rapid City Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was State of South Dakota v. Maxton Pfeiffer decided?
This case was decided on November 26, 2024.