South Dakota | With new charges, Sioux Falls man could face death penalty

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Sioux Falls man who could face the death penalty if convicted of killing his infant son pleaded not guilty Monday.

A grand jury last week determined that Dylan Castimore can be charged with first-degree murder in the death of 8-week-old Daxton Castimore.

The defendant was originally charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar has not decided whether to pursue the death penalty, which became a possibility with the new charge.

Should Haggar decline the capital punishment option, Castimore would face a mandatory life sentence, KELO-TV reported.

Castimore looked down as the new charges were read on Monday.

When asked if he understood the charges, Castimore said, “Yes, your honor,” and the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

An autopsy determined the baby’s death was caused by a skull fracture.

A contributing factor in the child’s death was a lacerated liver.

Court documents say the infant had several other injuries, including broken ribs.

The new charges also include aggravated battery of an infant and abuse or cruelty of a minor under the age of seven.

Castimore is also accused of being a habitual offender.

Castimore is being held on a $1 million cash bond.

Source: theintelligencer.com, Staff, December 13, 2021

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

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