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St. Francis Man Sentenced to Life for Murder
In a shocking turn of events, BillyRay McCloskey, 23, was sentenced to two life sentences for his role in the brutal murder of Calvin Kills In Water. The gruesome crime occurred on December 23, 2013, in St. Francis, South Dakota.
According to eyewitnesses, McCloskey physically fought with Kills In Water at a home in St. Francis, knocking him to the kitchen floor and kicking him repeatedly in the head, face, and body until Kills In Water lost consciousness. A co-defendant, Crystal Red Hawk, was present during the assault, while another co-defendant, Riley McCloskey, arrived at the residence after the assault.
The group then devised a plan to transport Kills In Water from the residence, wrapping a shower curtain or blanket around him to keep the blood from dripping on the upholstery in the car. They loaded him into the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, which belonged to Benjamin Clifford, a 76-year-old man who was asleep in the living room at the time.
Clifford drove the vehicle, with Crystal Red Hawk in the front passenger seat, Riley McCloskey in the driver side rear passenger seat, and BillyRay McCloskey in the center of the rear passenger seat. The group intended to drop off Kills In Water at a trailer house located behind a store in St. Francis, but Clifford suggested taking him to the hospital instead. However, McCloskey refused, leading to the tragic outcome.
U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the sentence on October 27, 2014. McCloskey was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. His co-defendant, Riley McCloskey, was sentenced to 210 months in custody, 5 years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for his role in the crime.
Co-defendant Crystal Red Hawk, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of Second Degree Murder and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2015. The maximum penalty for each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, and a period of supervised release of up to 5 years.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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