RAPID CITY, SD – James Robert Dowty, 27, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty Friday, May 5, 2017, of Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The verdict comes after a federal trial concluded in Rapid City, bringing a degree of closure to a case that shook the Oglala Sioux Tribe reservation.
The charges stem from the brutal killing of a 13-year-old juvenile, gunned down in the early morning hours of July 20, 2016, on a Pine Ridge street. Details revealed during the trial painted a grim picture of senseless violence, and the outcome hinges heavily on the courage of three teenage eyewitnesses who came forward to testify. Their accounts, prosecutors say, were instrumental in securing the conviction.
Dowty now faces a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment for the Second Degree Murder conviction. He is also looking at a potential $250,000 fine. The firearm charge carries an additional five years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Combined, the potential sentence is devastating.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, but tempered it with acknowledgement of the tragedy. “We have confidence in the criminal justice system and trust the conclusion the jury reached,” Kelderman stated. “This was a tragic case and while obviously no verdict can bring her back, we are hopeful this outcome provides some consolation and healing to the victim’s family.” The family has not yet released a statement.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Kelderman and Sarah B. Collins spearheaded the prosecution, building a case that ultimately convinced the jury of Dowty’s guilt. The collaborative nature of the investigation underscores the severity of the crime and the commitment to justice.
Dowty was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the verdict and will remain there pending a sentencing date, which will be set by the court. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing as details become available. This conviction serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing communities like Pine Ridge, and the devastating impact of gun violence.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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