South Dakota
Jury deadlocks on manslaughter charge in fatal South Dakota crash
KENNEBEC, S.D. — A Lyman County jury reached a partial verdict Thursday in the second-degree manslaughter trial of Jan Bothma, convicting him on two misdemeanor charges but deadlocking on the most serious count.
Bothma, 32, was found guilty of reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and failure to make a proper stop at a stop intersection, a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, on count 1 — second-degree manslaughter — the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a hung jury.
A hung jury means that despite deliberation, jurors could not agree on a verdict. As a result, a mistrial was declared on the manslaughter charge. A mistrial due to a hung jury is not considered a final judgment, so the state is allowed to retry the case.
Lyman County State’s Attorney Steve Smith confirmed that he intends to pursue a new trial on the manslaughter count.
After the verdict was read, Smith turned to the family of Chance Veurink and apologized, reassuring them that “this is not done.” Members of the Veurink family sat tear-struck in the courtroom, visibly emotional as the outcome was announced.
Bothma will be sentenced on July 17 for the two misdemeanor convictions. In South Dakota, a Class 1 misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $2,000 fine, while a Class 2 misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
The charges stem from an April 25, 2024, collision near Presho at the intersection of 305th Avenue and South Dakota Highway 248. Authorities say Bothma failed to stop a Case IH sprayer at a posted stop sign, causing a crash that killed 33-year-old Chance Veurink, of Vivian. Bothma, who is originally from South Africa and was in the area on a work visa for a local farming operation, was operating the equipment at the time of the crash.
In closing arguments, defense attorney George Johnson emphasized the state’s burden to prove recklessness beyond a reasonable doubt, noting that under the jury instructions, a conviction for second-degree manslaughter required a finding of reckless driving. Johnson argued that Bothma’s actions amounted to “imperfect logic and a bad choice,” describing them as negligent, but not reckless. Prosecutors countered that Bothma made a conscious decision to take a reckless risk by running the stop sign, despite understanding the potential consequences.
Jurors began deliberating shortly before noon Thursday. By late afternoon, they informed the court they could not come to an agreement on the manslaughter charge, prompting the court to declare a mistrial on that count.
The trial took place over four days at the Lyman County Courthouse, with a jury composed of eight men and four women.
The Mitchell Republic was unable to obtain comment from the defense team, the defendant, or his wife, who was with him in the courtroom, following the verdict.
Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
/jennifer-leither
RAPID CITY — The 2025 South Dakota state high school volleyball tournament came to a close on Saturday, Nov. 22, from the Summit Arena in Rapid City.
Below are the pairings for each match on Saturday in the three classes in action to put a bow on the high school volleyball season.
Seventh place
Sioux Falls Jefferson def. Mitchell, 25-22, 25-12, 25-10
Fifth place
Sioux Falls Lincoln def. Sioux Falls Washington, 20-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-20
Third place
Brandon Valley def. Watertown, 25-15, 25-19, 25-21
Championship
Harrisburg def. Sioux Falls O’Gorman, 25-16, 25-16, 25-13
Seventh place
Rapid City Christian def. Wagner, 25-12, 25-16, 25-12
Fifth place
Clark/Willow Lake def. St. Thomas More, 27-25, 26-24, 12-25, 25-23
Third place
Sioux Falls Christian def. Hamlin, 25-19, 25-15, 25-18
Championship
Dakota Valley def. Dell Rapids, 26-24, 26-24, 24-26, 25-22
Seventh place
Herreid/Selby Area def. Harding County, 23-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-13, 15-12
Fifth place
Gayville-Volin def. Parkston, 25-8, 26-24, 25-21
Third place
Northwestern def. Bennett County, 25-20, 25-19, 25-12
Championship
Chester def. Warner, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18
Class AA: Logan McGuire, Brandon Valley; Jersie Melcher, Brandon Valley; Josalyn Samuels, Harrisburg; Gabi Zachariasen, Harrisburg; Addie Siemsen, Mitchell; Sienna Sabers, Sioux Falls Jefferson; Julia Blom, Sioux Falls Lincoln; Mallory Schneider, Sioux Falls Lincoln; Londyn Smith, Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Lauren Venenga, Sioux Falls O’Gorman; Jade Jere, Sioux Falls Washington; Kynsee Russell, Watertown
Class A: Shelby Begeman, Clark/Willow Lake; Kelsey Hofer, Clark/Willow Lake; Samantha Kimball, Dakota Valley; Claire Munch, Dakota Valley; Madie Munch, Dakota Valley; Tenley Anderson, Dell Rapids; Madelynn Henry, Dell Rapids; Addison Neuendorf, Hamlin; Chloe Weber, Rapid City Christian; Leighton Scherr, St. Thomas More; Meredith Nelson, Sioux Falls Christian; Tavyn Sichmeller, Sioux Falls Christian
Class B: Peyson O’Neill, Bennett County; Reagan O’Neill, Bennett County; Lily Van Hal, Chester; Jacy Wolf, Chester; Paisley Dimmer, Gayville-Volin; Taylor Hoxeng, Gayville-Volin; Jordyn Rossow, Herreid/Selby Area; Ella Boekelheide, Northwestern; Ashley Haven, Northwestern; Keeara Oakley, Parkston; Jaycee Jung, Warner; Keira Steger, Warner
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
GRAND FORKS — UND and South Dakota State kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Alerus Center with both teams chasing an eighth win of the season.
Scoring recaps will be posted below.
UND 7, SDSU 0, 2:59 left: On fourth-and-1 from the 14, Jerry Kaminski takes a designed keeper up the middle and dives into the end zone for a touchdown.
UND 14, SDSU 0, 1:10 left: UND’s first play of a drive is an 89-yard slant pass from Jerry Kaminski to B.J. Fleming.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – To prep for the giving spirit of the holiday season, South Dakota Day of Giving will be happening all over the state, including locations near you.
South Dakota Day of Giving, also called Giving Tuesday, is in its eighth year. It’s an occasion where communities throughout the state can come together and donate to local nonprofits. It will take place this year on Dec. 2, 2025.
Nearly 400 community organizations throughout the state are registered to participate.
“Too often, the vital role South Dakota nonprofits play in providing essential services and amenities is taken for granted,” said Nora Leinen of South Dakota Gives, which organizes the statewide giving day. “The South Dakota Day of Giving allows us to take a moment out of the busy holiday season to show our gratitude and our support for the passionate people and organizations around us, elevating our communities’ quality of life.”
Throughout the state, nonprofits will have multiple campaigns to engage community support. In 2024, nearly $1.1 million was raised during Giving Tuesday.
“The Day of Giving may be a one-day event, but it’s a reminder of the work nonprofits are doing year-round,” said Leinen. “We’re excited to see our participants go all-out this Giving Tuesday.”
To find participating South Dakota businesses and organizations for this year’s Giving Tuesday, click here.
Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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