South Dakota
Noem commutes sentence of man who stabbed three, killed one 43 years ago • South Dakota Searchlight
Gov. Kristi Noem has granted a commutation to a convicted murderer that will allow him a shot at parole, but not for another eight years.
Roscoe Primeaux, 63, arrived in prison Dec. 28, 1981, on a life sentence for second-degree murder and two four-year sentences for aggravated assault.
Primeaux was 19 years old in October 1981 when he stabbed three people at an early morning house party in Wagner. He first stabbed a woman who was trying to break up a fight between another woman and Rodney Provost. When the first victim sat down, Primeaux fatally stabbed Provost at least 15 times, then opened the door and stabbed a partygoer who’d been outside during the altercations.
Everyone had been drinking.
Primeaux ran away, but police found him covered in blood at a Wagner housing complex at 7 a.m., less than two hours after their arrival at the scene of the stabbings. At 9:40 a.m. that morning., his blood alcohol content measured 0.13 – higher than the 0.08 level at which people can be charged with driving under the influence under current law.
Noem grants early release to 12 convicted of felonies for drug use
He hasn’t been free since.
“I turned 20 in November in the county jail,” Primeaux said, referring to his initial detainment in 1981.
In February 2023, Primeaux appeared before the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles. While in prison, he learned to be a diesel mechanic and took culinary arts courses, he told board members.
“I don’t like to just sit around,” said Primeaux, who was denied a commutation from Gov. Dennis Daugaard in 2012.
The time that’s passed since that point without trouble behind the walls, the support Primeaux had from his family during his February 2023 commutation hearing, and the lack of opposition from the victims’ family members were among the factors that swayed the board toward recommending a commutation.
In his more than 40 years in prison, his record showed, he’d never been given a major write-up.
The board voted 8-1 to recommend a commutation reducing his life sentence to 300 years. That recommendation would’ve made him parole-eligible immediately.
“It’s been 10 years since Governor Daugaard said no,” said board member Peter Lieberman. “This time it’s been 41 years, not 31. I think he’s been punished adequately.”
Board Chair Myron Rau noted that Primeaux had support from some of the victims’ family members and has reached out several times to ask for forgiveness from others unsuccessfully.
“He’s done about all he can do to contact them,” Rau said.
The board can only recommend a commutation. Under the South Dakota Constitution, only a governor can grant clemency, either in the form of a commutation that lessens a current sentence or as a pardon, which wipes an old charge completely from a person’s record.
In Primeaux’s case, Gov. Noem made a 100-year adjustment to the recommendation from the board, leaving him with a 400-year sentence and setting his initial parole date for May 2032.
Power of mercy: Noem decisions highlight outsized importance of pardons in South Dakota
Noem signed Primeaux’s commutation on Feb. 23, just over a year after his hearing. South Dakota Searchlight obtained the commutation document through a public records request. Spokespersons for Noem’s office did not immediately return messages seeking comment on her decision.
The latest commutation puts the number she’s granted at 25. Primeaux went through the normal process: He applied to the board, got a hearing and earned a recommendation.
Just after Christmas, Noem issued 12 commutations – doubling the number she’d issued until that point – to nine women and three men held on charges of felony drug ingestion.
Noem did not respond to a request for comment about why she issued those commutations without the knowledge or review of the board, but said during her State of the State speech the following month that she’d done so to offer the women second chances.
Noem has also issued 28 pardons since the start of the year. Most of them were signed on Feb. 23, including for a man convicted of third-degree rape in 2005, another convicted of incest in 2001 and a woman convicted of aggravated assault in 2006. The remaining pardons were for lesser offenses like theft, drunken driving, disorderly conduct and marijuana or drug distribution.
Noem has issued a total of 296 pardons since taking office in 2019.
Pardons issued by Gov. Kristi Noem in January and February of 2024:
2024 Pardons -12-23 through 3-24
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 20 drawing
08-14-31-41-52, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from June 20 drawing
02-09-15-27-34
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 20 drawing
01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — You can celebrate Juneteenth in central Sioux Falls Saturday. The festivities start at 10 a.m. in Fawick Park with a Freedom Walk. Activities also include a Spoken Word, Car show demonstration, community games, a fashion, art and beauty expo, a talent show and a DJ battle.
Also in central Sioux Falls is the Festival of Cultures hosted by Lutheran Social Services. The American Patchwork Quartet will perform at 11 a.m. and Nepali dancers NSKK will take the stage at 12:30. It’s all happening at the Sioux Falls Coliseum. Then, the Parade of Flags will take place at 7:20 p.m. at the Levitt Lawn.
Join cancer survivor Lisa Soundy for for a Walk and Talk about cancer survivorship. Hear Lisa share her personal experience with cancer. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Prairie West Library in western Soiux Falls. It is hosted by Avera McKennan Hospital.
Fly a kite at the Brookings Kite Festival. It goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and a lighted kite show will go from 8:30 to10 in the evening on Saturday. It takes place at the Fishback Soccer Complex and will also include food trucks and kids games.
Also, enjoy the final day of Czech Days in Tabor. The festivities include a craft fair, kiddie parade, dumpling making demonstration and a lot more. The festivities start at 7 a.m. with a 5K and run through the night.
Head to Sioux Valley Cycle Club in Sioux Falls for an ATV race. Gates open at 1 p.m., practice starts at 3:45, and racing starts at 4:45. Admission is $10, but kids 6 and under are free.
Take in Teapot Days in Tea, South Dakota. Events include a parade at 10 a.m., the Mighty Thomas Carnival beginning at noon and fireworks at 10:15 in the evening in the city park.
Take a lunch break and enjoy live music in downtown Sioux Falls. Head to the Ampt! event at the Phillips Avenue Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
You can enjoy more music downtown later in the night at Levitt at the Falls. Hear folk songs from the American Patchwork Quartet and openers Alma Latina Grupo Multicultural and the Levitt Vocal Jam Camp Showcase. The music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
There’s also free music to enjoy west river throughout the afternoon and evening at Wild Bill Days on Main Street in Deadwood. Other events include a downtown art festival, gold panning and blacksmithing demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
See if you can catch any fish at Family Park in western Sioux Falls. All the needed gear is provided, but you can bring your own gear if you would like. It goes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and it is completely free.
There’s another fishing opportunity much further north. Head north to Roy Lake State Park for Cops and Bobbers and fish with local law enforcement. All the needed equipment and bait will be provided. It goes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Roy Lake Store Docks and fishing pier. A park pass is required.
Help support Feeding South Dakota at the 13th annual Prime Time Gala & Concert. The event includes a silent auction, live auction, food and music from Dierks Bentley, Muscadine Bloodline and Elizabeth Jo. Guest Check-in is at 4 p.m. at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
Catch a show at the Orpheum Theater. It’s the last weekend to see Legally Blonde presented by the Premiere Playhouse. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Experience a yarn adventure at Prairie Road Yarn in Sioux Falls. The Yarn Adventure Truck will be paying a visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Falls Park Farmers market in Sioux Falls is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Brandon Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 925 N. Splitrock Boulevard. The Brookings Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon in the 300 block of 6th Avenue.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 19 drawing
13-16-21-26-50, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 19 drawing
02-20-28-51-54, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Technology38 seconds agoSony’s Xperia 1 VIII is still a phone for the fans
-
World8 minutes agoTrump-backed ‘El Tigre’ looks to crush cartels, end Colombia’s socialist era in pivotal election
-
Politics11 minutes agoObama Center visitors say project symbolic of ‘Black excellence,’ claim scandal-free legacy while Trump ripped
-
Health16 minutes agoPoison centers link growing Benadryl abuse among teens to dangerous social media trends
-
Sports23 minutes agoBryce Harper hits for cycle, Kyle Schwarber blasts three homers in Phillies blowout win over Mets
-
Technology25 minutes agoMeta offers paid training for AI data center jobs
-
Business31 minutes ago‘I got crushed’: AI giants are funding ad wars in races across the country
-
Entertainment38 minutes agoA fake mountain and real magic transform Paris’ oldest bridge
