Information from KELO-TV
Published: July 1, 2011
HURON, SD – A Beadle County jury has found a man guilty but mentally ill in a Huron murder trial. And for the first time in South Dakota, the public was able to watch as the verdict was read.
Edwin Thompson was on trial for second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Ryan Treadway. Thompson stomped on Treadway during a fight in 2009, causing the injuries that led to Treadway’s death.
A new law that went into effect on Friday (July 1, 2011) allows expanded media coverage of court cases. Zach Nelson, news director for Performance Radio of Huron, made the initial request for an audio feed and the historic opportunity to take still pictures at this trial. Circuit Judge Jon Erickson granted that request and on Thursday afternoon, he and the attorneys involved decided to allow a video camera in the courtroom as well. The attorney for the defense was Ron Volesky of Huron. The prosecutor was Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore.
The expanded media coverage came on the last day of the trial when lawyers made their closing arguments and the jury delivered its verdict.
KELO served as pool for audio and video. Associated Press freelancer Doug Dreyer took still photos for the media pool.