The U.S. Forest Service’s web site says “multiple-use Black Hills Nationwide Forest has an exercise for everybody.” One exercise/use that’s undoubtedly not sanctioned is dumping lifeless our bodies. In 2013, Richard Schmitz (55) reportedly killed his girlfriend, Meshell Will, and left her physique alongside a highway in South Dakota’s Black Hills Nationwide Forest for a customer to search out a number of days later.
A decide sentenced Schmitz to 10 years in jail on Friday.
Schmitz, who had a historical past of violence towards ladies, was first arrested for the crime in 2021. He took a plea deal in January shortly earlier than his trial date for Meshell Will’s homicide.
Final week, a decide gave him the utmost sentence of 10 years in jail for second-degree homicide. He has already served about 900 days of that sentence.
Will, who was 38 on the time of her dying, was alive on August 23, 2013, when she and Schmitz checked right into a motel in Keystone, S.D. The speculation is that Schmitz killed her there, then disposed of her physique within the nationwide forest. Will was not sporting footwear or carrying private belongings.
There have been six circumstances of assault and home violence in opposition to Schmitz since 1999, reviews native information outlet KELO, which the decide stated is proof that he’s not protected to be among the many public.
Although Schmitz has not confessed to the homicide, native legislation officers really feel there may be lastly justice on this 11-year-old chilly case.
