Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Francis D. Lange Sentenced to LWOP In 2021 SD Triple Murder

  1. #1
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    7,316

    Francis D. Lange Sentenced to LWOP In 2021 SD Triple Murder


    Angela Monclova


    Librado Monclova


    Diane Akins


    Francis Lange


    Charges against Scotland murder suspect upgraded, jury trial scheduled

    Prosecutors have until Feb. 28, 2022 to decide whether to pursue the death penalty

    Written By: Hunter Dunteman

    TYNDALL — A Scotland man accused of killing three and severely injuring two others in an early-November shooting is now facing upgraded charges after he was arraigned Tuesday on two new counts of attempted murder.

    Francis Lange, 42, was charged Nov. 10 with three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of commission of a felony with a firearm — but on Tuesday, a Bon Homme County grand jury determined enough evidence exists to justify two new counts of attempted murder, while still upholding all other charges.

    Lange pleaded not guilty to all nine charges he was indicted on, leading the court to order a 10-day jury trial to begin in Oct. 24, 2022.

    Lange's most severe charges — three counts of first-degree murder — carry a statutory minimum sentence of life in prison, but leaves the door open for prosecutors to pursue the death penalty.

    In the court’s scheduling order, Circuit Court Judge Cheryle Gering set a Feb. 28 deadline for prosecutors to decide whether they intend to seek the death penalty — a rarely used practice.

    Since 2000, five men have been executed in the state of South Dakota — most recently in 2019 — and all have been sentenced to death for murder. One man is currently awaiting execution.

    In an effort to build his defense, attorneys representing Lange have received court approval to hire private investigator Jodi Hoffman at a cost of up to $5,000. Due to Lange’s financial standing, the cost will be incurred by the county.

    Hoffman has worked as a private investigator for nearly two decades in South Dakota and Minnesota, specializing in criminal defense work, assisting with trial and trial preparation, according to her listing on the Minnesota Association of Private Investigators and Protective Agents website.

    The court proceedings stem from a Nov. 9 shooting in Scotland, in which Lange is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend and two others. Police later recovered a handgun in a nearby lot that matched a box located under Lange’s bed.

    Court documents list at least 10 witnesses who have already testified in the case.

    That state’s Unified Judicial System portal lists Lange’s next court appearance as Aug. 24, 2022. Jury selections are set to begin on Oct. 19, 2022.

    Lange has until Sept. 12, 2022, to enter a change of plea.

    https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/new...rial-scheduled
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

  2. #2
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    7,316
    Death penalty still a possibility in Scotland shooting

    Anna Peters

    SCOTLAND, S.D. (KELO) — Prosecutors are still deciding whether to seek the death penalty for the Scotland murder suspect.

    Francis Lange is charged with three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

    He’s accused of going into a home with a gun in November and shooting everyone inside.

    Three of the victims died.

    This week the judge extended the deadline to give the prosecutors more time to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

    https://www.keloland.com/news/local-...-shooting/amp/
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

  3. #3
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875
    Edited:

    Death penalty decision reached for Caffee, but deadline for Lange extended pending psych evaluation

    By Hunter Dunteman
    The Daily Republic

    Prosecutors in the murder case of Francis Lange's case say they need more time to come to a decision on whether they will seek the death penalty.

    Francis Lange, 42, of Scotland, faces nine felony charges, including three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder from a November shooting that killed three.

    First-degree murder, defined by state statute as either premeditated or during an attempt of robbery or burglary (among other felony offenses), is a Class A felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum of life in prison or death.

    The death penalty can only be pursued in cases including a first-degree murder charge, which is the state's highest crime.

    Prosecutors are required to inform the defense and the court of their intent to pursue or not to pursue the death penalty.

    According to court documents filed Feb. 23, prosecutors have elected not to pursue the death penalty in Caffee's case. The decision came from Deputy Attorney General Brent Kempema.

    Kempema did not respond to a request for comment, but Chief of Staff of the Office of the Attorney General Tim Bormann told the Mitchell Republic in an email officials conducted a thorough review of the file and the facts of the case to reach their decision.

    South Dakota statute 23A-27A-1 also helps prosecutors decide on the death penalty by providing 10 aggravating factors to a charge.

    The charge could be considered aggravated if:

    * The defendant has a prior Class A or Class B felony conviction, or the defendant committed murder and has a felony conviction for a crime of violence;
    * The defendant knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person in a public place;
    * The defendant committed the offense for the benefit of the defendant or another, for the purpose of receiving money or any other thing of monetary value;
    * The defendant committed the offense on a current or former judicial officer or prosecutor, while engaged in their duties;
    * The defendant caused or directed another to commit murder or committed murder as an agent or employee of another person;
    * The offense was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman in that it involved torture, depravity of mind, or an aggravated battery to the victim;
    * The offense was committed against a law enforcement officer, employee of a corrections institution, or firefighter while engaged in the performance of such person's official duties;
    * The offense was committed by a person in, or who has escaped from, the lawful custody of a law enforcement officer or place of lawful confinement;
    * The offense was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with or preventing a lawful arrest or custody in a place of lawful confinement, of the defendant or another; or
    * The offense was committed in the course of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing substances listed in Schedules I and II in violation of law.

    Lange and his attorneys will have to wait weeks longer to hear if the state will pursue the death penalty in his case, after the defense requested a period of stipulation pending a psychological evaluation.

    Prosecutors originally had until Feb. 28 to file their intent with the court. Recently filed court documents explain why a psychological evaluation can't be completed in time.

    After Lange had requested the court order a psychological evaluation to allow him to enter a plea for not guilty by reason of insanity, but Judge Cheryle Gering had originally denied the request.

    First, Gering said the motion was not properly filed in accordance with a handbook, "Representing a Client with Mental Illness, A South Dakota Defense Attorney's Guide." She also noted the defense had failed to provide the court with the name or curriculum vitae of a psychologist. Last, she said the defense cannot combine a competency and insanity plea evaluation into one evaluation.

    In response, Seth Klentz, Lange's defense attorney, named Dr. Josette Lindahl as the proposed evaluator, providing her experience. He told Gering he had not provided that information sooner because Lindahl would not originally have been able to meet a 21-day requirement to complete the evaluations.

    Klentz noted he intends to file a new motion soon, but indicated he had discussed with prosecutors the need for the evaluations and had worked out a deal to allow more time to complete them.

    Kempema, who is involved in both Caffee and Lange's case as a representative of the Attorney General's office, informed Gering the state would jointly request a delay in the death penalty determination pending the result of the evaluations.

    Gering found good cause for a delay, and granted a period of stipulation. No new deadline for a death penalty determination was set.

    Lange has pleaded not guilty to all three counts of first-degree murder as well as both counts of attempted murder.

    His charges stem from a November shooting when he shot his girlfriend and four others in their Scotland, South Dakota, home, killing three and hospitalizing two.

    Lange is due to appear in a Bon Homme County courtroom beginning Oct. 19 for a jury trial — provided future delays don't present.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/death-penalty-decision-reached-caffee-004700653.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  4. #4
    Senior Member CnCP Legend
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Posts
    2,243
    Prosecutors weigh death penalty in shooting that killed 3

    AP

    TYNDALL, S.D. (AP) — Prosecutors are weighing whether to pursue the death penalty for a Scotland man if he’s convicted of shooting five people, including three fatally, in Bon Homme County.

    Francis Lange, 42, is scheduled for an October trial. He’s accused of killing his former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, as well as her father, Librado Monclova, and Diane Akins. Vicki Monclova and a 5-year-old girl who has not been identified, were injured in the Nov. 9, 2021 shooting at a Scotland residence.

    Circuit Judge Cheryle Gering has granted a second extension on the state’s death penalty decision. She has received a request from both the prosecution and defense for more time to complete Lange’s mental evaluation, the Yankton Press and Dakotan reported.

    “Both parties agree that, in order to determine whether or not to seek the death penalty, the state should have the completed competency evaluation,” the judge wrote. “Both parties agree to allow the state to make its death penalty determination two weeks after the competency evaluation has been completed and disclosed to the state.”

    Lange faces nine felony counts in the case, including three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

    He remains in the Bon Homme County Jail in Tyndall on a $2 million cash bond.

    https://apnews.com/article/shootings...a5971bc5b11424

  5. #5
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    7,316
    Scotland Shootings: No Death Penalty Sought

    Judge Sets Summer Trial, Location Undecided

    BY RANDY DOCKENDORF

    TYNDALL — A Scotland man won’t face the death penalty in his trial later this year on multiple murder charges.

    Francis Lange, 43, will stand trial July 24-Aug. 4 on three charges of first-degree murder and two charges of attempted murder, along with aggravated assault and firearms charges.

    Circuit Judge Cheryle Gering had set a Feb. 21 deadline for the state to decide on pursuing the death penalty. In addition, the prosecution and defense had to announce whether a plea agreement had been reached.

    On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Brent Kempema filed the prosecution’s notice of intent not to pursue capital punishment. The state took into account mitigating and aggravating circumstances of the alleged crimes, as well as applicable state and federal case law, he said.

    “Having informed the families of the alleged victims of its decision, it (has) been determined that the State of South Dakota will not seek the penalty of death should the defendant be convicted of the offense of murder in the first degree,” the last part of the motion said.

    During Tuesday’s hearing, the two sides announced they had not reached a plea deal. After considerable discussion, Gering set trial dates agreeable to all parties.

    In addition, the judge will file a decision within two weeks on whether to grant a defense motion to move the trial out of Bon Homme County.

    Lange is charged with entering his former Scotland residence Nov. 9, 2021, and shooting five people before leaving the premises. Authorities later located him at his father’s home in Scotland, where the suspect emerged without incident, court records said.

    The shootings resulted at the time in three deaths with another two people sustaining serious, life-threatening injuries that required treatment, according to court records. One of the injured parties has since died.

    Lange faces three charges of first-degree murder, a Class A felony with a sentence of the death penalty or life in prison and a possible $50,000 fine. He also faces two charges of attempted murder, along with aggravated assault and firearms charges.

    Lange has pleaded guilty but mentally ill and not guilty by reason of insanity. He has completed a mental evaluation, which has been provided to the court.

    The shooting deaths included Lange’s former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, as well as Librado Monclova and Diane Akins, according to court documents. Those injured included Vicki Monclova, who was transported to a Sioux Falls hospital for treatment, and a 5-year-old child with the initials M.M.

    Vicki Monclova, 57, died Sept. 14, according to her obituary received by the Press & Dakotan.

    “Vicki succumbed to injuries sustained in a brutal shooting of her family November 9th, 2021,” the obituary said.

    However, authorities have not yet publicly attributed her death to the shootings. As of Tuesday afternoon, court records did not indicate any changes in the charges to reflect Vicki Monclova’s death.

    Since a plea deal has not been reached, Gering moved ahead at Tuesday’s hearing with setting trial dates. The two sides agreed a two-week trial would likely be needed given the number of witnesses and amount of evidence.

    Gering said she preferred an earlier date over a later one. Lange has already remained an extended period of time — about 15 months so far — in the Bon Homme County Jail in Tyndall, she noted.

    “I want to make this case a priority,” the judge said. “Mr. Lange has been in custody, and I prioritize cases where someone is in custody.”

    During Tuesday’s hearing, Lange and Bon Homme County State’s Attorney Lisa Rothschadl appeared in person. Because of weather-related concerns, Zoom appearances were made by Kempema and Assistant Attorney General Katie Mallery and defense attorneys Raleigh Hansman and Seth Klentz.

    In scheduling the trial, possible dates ranged from mid-May to late summer or even early fall.

    Kempema expressed concerns about whether the suggested May 15 date provided enough time.

    “I haven’t talked with our expert witnesses, but we also want to complete this (case) before harvest season,” he said, referring to farmers as witnesses or jurors. “We prefer middle to late summer, but if you go with the May 15 date, we’ll get our witnesses there.”

    The defense attorneys listed weeks when they are committed to other cases and trials.

    The judge and both sets of attorneys considered available dates, the amount of time needed to file motions and secure witnesses, and other factors such as the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays.

    In the end, Gering set aside the two-week block of time, with the trial’s location to be determined by the judge’s decision regarding a change of venue.

    The defense indicated Tuesday it wanted to move forward with its motion for a change of venue, taking the trial outside of Bon Homme County. Neither the state nor the defense had additional information to add at this time.

    The defense lawyers have argued their client can’t receive a fair trial in Bon Homme County. They cited pre-trial media coverage and the county’s small population, which has left many people connected to or knowledgeable about the case, the defense attorneys said.

    The motion doesn’t list any suggested or desired alternate locations.

    During Tuesday’s hearing, Gering rejected Hansman’s request to send out a long-form questionnaire to potential jurors to determine a change of venue.

    “I don’t feel a long form (questionnaire) would be helpful. It would add information, but it wouldn’t be determinative,” the judge said. “It wouldn’t get you any answers on a change of venue.”

    Also, the long-form questionnaires could push the process into 2024, starting the process all over with a new pool of jurors, Gering said. However, she will allow the questionnaires in selecting the jurors for trial.

    Kempema offered the prosecution’s perspective.

    “The state prefers its counties in which they happened,” he said. “We get it that Bon Homme is a small county. This (case) has received a lot of attention, and the witnesses will come from the community.”

    Kempema noted the state would want any relocation to remain close to Bon Homme County. “If there is a change of venue, we want it moved to the most cost-effective county, as close proximity as we can,” added.

    In a probable-cause affidavit, a Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officer reported his findings when he responded to a 911 call about the shootings.

    Law enforcement and paramedics arrived at the scene and located three unresponsive individuals. They reported there were no signs of life from Librado Monclova and Angela Monclova. Diane Akins was transported to the Scotland hospital and later pronounced dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

    “It was determined that the child and Vicki Monclova had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and were transported by helicopter to a Sioux Falls hospital,” the affidavit said. “The responding officers reported seeing a handgun magazine and what appeared to be fired 9mm pistol shell casing/cartridges on the floor inside the residence.”

    The child has turned 7, based on the date of birth in court records.

    Besides the three first-degree murder charges, Lange faces two counts of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of committing a felony while carrying a firearm (first conviction), both a Class 2 felony. In addition, he is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony.

    During Tuesday’s hearing, Gering set an April 18 date for the state and a May 16 date for the defense to produce their lists of witnesses and exhibits. “For the defense, I typically leave (that deadline) much closer to trial,” the judge explained.

    The judge set a May 23 date for a pre-trial conference, allowing time if issues arise. In addition, she set a June 30 deadline for the sides to submit their proposed jury instructions.

    Lange remains in the Bon Homme County Jail on $2 million cash bond.

    https://www.yankton.net/community/ar...da441.html#ath
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

  6. #6
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    7,316
    Update: Lange Pleads To Murders

    Scotland Man Pleads ‘Guilty But Mentally Ill’ To Deaths

    BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net

    TYNDALL — On Nov. 9, 2021, Francis Lange returned to his former home in Scotland to confront his former girlfriend about a gun he left at the house.

    By the time the incident ended, Lange — who lived elsewhere in town with his father — shot all five occupants of the house, including a 5-year-old girl he didn’t know would be present.

    Three people died immediately, while a woman and the girl received gunshot wounds. The woman later died, and the youngster recovered from her injuries as the lone survivor and witness.

    Lange, 43, provided those facts during the Wednesday change of plea hearing in the Bon Homme County courthouse in Tyndall.

    “Guilty but mentally ill,” he said in response to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

    For the most part, Lange sat quietly during the proceedings, which were attended by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. The courtroom was filled with spectators, including media, law enforcement and family members.

    Circuit Judge Cheryle Gering set a July 24 sentencing at the Tyndall courthouse.

    Lange faces a mandatory life sentence on the murder charges.

    The shooting deaths included Lange’s former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, as well as Librado Monclova and Diane Akins, according to court documents.

    Those injured included Vicki Monclova, who was transported to a Sioux Falls hospital for treatment, and a 5-year-old child with the initials M.M.

    Vicki Monclova died Sept. 14, 2022. Her obituary listed the gunshot wounds as her cause of death, but authorities did not confirm that finding or charge Lange with murder for her death.

    Lange was arrested shortly after the November 2021 shootings. He pleaded not guilty at the time to the first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges, along with attempted murder and firearms charges.

    On Wednesday, he changed his pleas at the Bon Homme County courthouse in Tyndall. Gering accepted the pleas after hearing Lange’s statement of his guilt and testimony from a psychiatrist who conducted a mental evaluation of the defendant.

    First-degree murder, a Class A felony, carries a sentence of the death penalty or life in prison and a possible $50,000 fine. The state previously filed a motion that it would not seek the death penalty.

    Aggravated assault, a Class 3 felony, carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

    He had also faced attempted murder and firearms charges.

    Lange was scheduled to stand trial July 24-Aug. 4 in neighboring Yankton County, as Gering had granted a defense motion for a change of venue.

    South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley attended Wednesday’s proceedings. The prosecution included Deputy AGs Brent Kempema and Katie Mallory, Bon Homme State’s Attorney Lisa Rothschadl and Deputy State’s Attorney Abigail Monger.

    The defense counsel included Raleigh Hansman of Sioux Falls and Seth Klentz of Beresford.

    THE FACTS OF THE CASE

    Gering accepted the pleas after Lange provided his account of the shooting, read by Hansman. The defendant agreed he understood his rights and the consequences of his pleas. He provided the court with the following narrative.

    “On Nov. 9, 2021, at 5:40 p.m., I entered the residence at 710 Second Street in Scotland,” he said, adding he was carrying a Taurus GC3 9mm semi-automatic pistol in his waistband holster.

    Lange had a previous relationship with Angela Monclova, and he had moved out of the house. He returned regarding a firearm that he had left behind when he moved.

    “I came for the location of the separate firearm … and learned she had given it away,” he said in his statement.

    At that point, Akins walked toward him, and he fired multiple shots at her. He then shot Angela Monclova in the head, Librado Monclova in the chest, Vicki Monclova in the waist and M.M. in the abdomen and foot.

    “M.M. was laying on the couch, between Angela and Librado,” Lange said, adding “I didn’t know she would be there (at the house).”

    Lange exited the home, dropping the gun 60-90 feet away and also disposing of his holster and black hoodie.

    In all, 12 shots were fired resulting in three deaths that the forensics investigation concluded were homicides caused by gunshot wounds.

    The prosecution concurred with those facts of the case.

    Gering said she couldn’t accept the “guilty but mentally ill” pleas until Lange had received an evaluation. The judge noted that Lange had previously been found competent to stand trial.

    During Wednesday’s hearing, Dr. Josette Lindahl, a psychiatrist with Avera Behavioral Health, took the stand to testify about her series of three interviews with Lange. She received questions from both the prosecution and defense.

    Prior to her interviews, Lindahl had reviewed documents related to Lange’s medical history. Her interviews assessed, among other things, his memory of events compared to other documentation with the case.

    Generally, it’s beneficial to hold more than one interview, Lindahl said. The process seeks to determine if the defendant is coherent and competent to stand trial, holds an appreciation of the charges and consequences and if there are any other mental health issues.

    During her interviews, Lindahl determined that Lange suffered from schizopathic disorder, depression and alcohol use disorder.

    “He wasn’t forthcoming with his symptoms,” she said. “He showed a reluctance to answer questions and suspiciousness. … There was a lot he wasn’t sharing. There were significant indications of underlying psychiatric disorders.”

    She scheduled a third interview with him. “He was reluctant to share the experiences inside his head,” she said, adding, “he was very paranoid and suspicious.”

    Lange also displayed odd behavior and comments, including off-hand remarks where he showed reluctance to go into detail, Lindahl said.

    “By the third evaluation, he was more willing to describe episodes of psychosis and ongoing symptoms,” she added.

    During Wednesday’s hearing, both the prosecution and defense asked for Lindahl’s interpretation of his schizoaffective disorder as well as psychotic behavior and mood symptoms. Questions were also asked about the defendant’s alcohol or other substance use.

    In her opinion, Lindahl said, Lange’s condition didn’t rise to the level of insanity. He had previously been found competent to stand trial.

    “So, did he know the difference between right and wrong?” Gering asked from the bench.

    In the end, Gering found that Lange may have been dealing with issues that impaired his judgment “but not to the extent that he didn’t know the wrongfulness of his actions.”

    With that finding, the judge accepted the plea of “guilty but mentally ill” and set the sentencing date.

    THE AG SPEAKS

    Jackley spoke with the media following Wednesday’s proceedings, providing an opening statement.

    “Today, Francis Lange entered guilty but mentally ill pleas to three counts of premeditated first-degree murder as well as two counts of aggravated assault related to the Nov. 9, 2021, triple homicide in Scotland, South Dakota,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, especially the 5-year-old who was injured in the incident.”

    Jackley credited a total team effort in the case from start to finish.

    “I want to express my appreciation to the paramedics, the sheriff and deputies, the DCI (Division of Criminal Investigation) and the thorough prosecution,” he said, crediting both the AG’s office and the Bon Homme County state’s attorney’s office.

    Jackley fielded questions, including a number of them from the Press & Dakotan.

    He explained the reasons for the lengthy court process with this case and the input received from the victims’ families.

    “I had the opportunity before the hearing to sit down with the family and listen to their concerns,” the AG said. “Part of the reason this (case) took this amount of time is because you are dealing with a ‘guilty but mentally ill’ plea, which requires additional hearings and circumstances, including the psychiatric review and report you heard today.”

    The plea won’t alter Lange’s sentence, Jackley said.

    “A guilty but mentally ill plea is the same as a guilty plea but with one main difference. There is still life without the chance of parole, but during that sentence, a ‘guilty but mentally ill’ plea allows for further evaluation and treatment for that mental illness during the corrections process,” the attorney general said.

    “There will still be three sentences of mandatory life without chance of parole along with the additional 30 years for the aggravated assault charges. The one difference is that he will have further evaluations for mental illness and receive the appropriate treatment from the DOC (Department of Corrections).”

    Typically, the guilty but mentally ill plea doesn’t change the DOC placement of the inmate, Jackley said.

    Jackley said his ability to attend the Tyndall hearing benefited because he was headed for a Girls State appearance in Vermillion.

    However, he also felt it was important to attend in person.

    “Because this was a triple homicide, it impacted a lot of victims,” he said. “From my time and tenure and an AG, these are the types of incidents where I like to be present and see what’s going in,” he said.

    “It was important for me to be here. It was important for me to be with the victims, and it helped me be more aware of why the investigators did what they did and why the prosecutors did what they did.”

    Jackley said he was grateful for the 5-year-old girl (now 7 years old) who not only survived her gunshot wounds but will also not have to testify in court “and relive the trauma.”

    The Press & Dakotan asked if he had any words for the Scotland community and Bon Homme County in the midst of the tragedy that hit so close to home.

    “It goes back to what I said about what the paramedics did when they arrived on the scene of a very difficult and tragic situation, working on people they knew so well,” he said.

    In addition, Jackley commended the law enforcement and prosecutors at all level for their handling of the case.

    “This investigation was done by the textbook and done very well,” he said. “We had the local efforts of the sheriff and state’s attorney working with the AG to achieve justice for the victims’ families.”

    Jackley declined to say where Lange will be held until his sentencing, which will be held in Bon Homme County.

    https://www.yankton.net/community/ar...3debd.html#ath
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

  7. #7
    Senior Member CnCP Legend
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Posts
    2,243
    Man who killed three people in small South Dakota town sentenced to life in prison

    AP

    SCOTLAND, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota man who killed three people and wounded two others, including a 5-year-old girl, will spend the rest of his life in prison.

    A judge on Monday sentenced 43-year-old Francis Lange to three consecutive terms of life in prison without parole, KELO-TV reported.

    In May, Lange pleaded guilty but mentally ill to three counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Lange admitted in court that he went into a home in the small town of Scotland, South Dakota, on Nov. 9, 2021, and shot everyone inside.

    Those killed included Lange’s former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, along with her father, Librado Monclova, and Diane Akins. The 5-year-old girl and another adult were shot but survived.

    South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has said that Lange will receive mental health evaluation and treatment.

    Psychiatrist Josette Lindahl testified prior to the guilty plea that she met three times with Lange and diagnosed him with schizoaffective disorder. She added that alcohol and other substances made his symptoms worse.

    https://apnews.com/article/south-dak...458b1d91ca6470

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •