Antoine Bissonette sentenced to 15 years for second-degree manslaughter

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The Rapid City man who pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter back in April was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday.

43-year-old Antoine Bissonette pleaded guilty to killing 44-year-old Andrew Bear Robe back in March of 2021. Bissonette was originally charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter after saying he was only trying to protect himself.

Monday, Bear Robe’s mother spoke to the court saying, “I will never forgive you for killing my son. I miss my son a lot.”

The defense however argued Bear Robe had a history of violence and although Bissonette admitted his actions were excessive, he only did so to protect himself.

The hearing concluded with Bissonette saying, “No matter the sentence I receive it won’t bring back the life lost. I hope Andrew’s family can forgive me one day.”

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