James Jumping Eagle trial sees witnesses take the stand

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Evidence was presented Tuesday during the jury trial for a man accused of the rape and murder of an 82-year-old woman in 2021.

Early Tuesday morning the state and defense presented photo evidence of the home where the crime took place. The state called victim Reta McGovern’s son-in-law Tim Suek and officer Garrett Lowen to testify to the events they witnessed on Feb. 11, 2021.

Both witnesses recalled walking into the bedroom where they discovered the victim with a blanket over her head naked from the waist down. When they removed the blanket they say they saw her throat was cut and a butcher knife sat at the edge of the bed.

Later this afternoon, a few more witnesses were brought to the stand to look at video camera footage in the area of Flormann and Mt. Rushmore Road.

In one of the videos you can see is what said to be Jumping Eagle crossing the street to Safeway.

The defendant, James Jumping Eagle, opted to have his lawyer defend him today after choosing to defend himself Monday during opening statements. Jumping Eagle is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree rape. His trial is set to run through March 15.

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