Man sentenced 10 years in prison for killing his sister

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The man who pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter after killing his sister was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison with four years suspended.

In September 2022, Danielle, 31, and her brother Nicklaus Houchin, 29, were delivering food for an online app when an argument between the siblings erupted near Rushmore Crossing. Daniella was strangled to death. At the time of Nicklaus Houchin’s arrest, his blood alcohol content was reportedly three times over the legal limit.

Houchin’s family was at the sentencing. Several of them were able to express some of their emotions regarding the situation, before the judge passed sentence.

“It’s hard to celebrate anything; it is hard to mourn anything. I’ve had lots of appointments to visit with him and share feelings with him. I look forward to the day you can come home, and we can move on,” expressed Nicklaus’s father Nathaniel Houchin. “You have an opportunity, Nick, to get on the right track. You owe it to Danielle, and you owe it to yourself.”

Houchin was then given a chance to give his finals thoughts before sentencing.

“I just want them to know that I am sorry for that day and my alcohol problem in general,” expressed Houchin. “I just want them to forgive me.”

Near the end of the sentencing, 7th Circuit Judge Matt Brown acknowledged how complicated the case was and mentioned how alcohol was a major factor in the case, agreeing with what Houchin’s father said.

“Mr. Houchin, I agree with what your father said—that you owe a debt to your sister, to your family, and to the community,” said Brown. “I hope that this somber atmosphere follows you.”

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