Manderson Man Sentenced to 9.5 Years for Voluntary Manslaughter
A 38-year-old Manderson man has been sentenced to 114 months in custody for his role in a brutal killing that left one man dead. Leonard David Yankton, aka Lenny Yankton, was handed down the sentence by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on April 21, 2014.
The victim, whose name was not disclosed, was killed on August 2, 2013, after a heated argument at a home in Manderson Housing. Yankton and the victim had been drinking together when the altercation turned deadly.
According to court documents, Yankton repeatedly struck the victim in the head with a metal bar, resulting in his death. The incident was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.
Yankton was initially charged with Second Degree Murder but pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter on December 19, 2013. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.
As part of his sentence, Yankton must also serve three years of supervised release and pay $3,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violent crime. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson said, ‘This case highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice is served.’
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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