Matthew Walter Novak, 33, pled not guilty to first degree murder for the Aug. 31 death of Jennifer Ann Gibson, 26, of Woonsocket in Sanborn County Court, Tuesday afternoon.
Monday morning, a Sanborn County Grand Jury found enough evidence to indict Novak on first degree murder. He was originally arrested for second degree murder.
The grand jury also charged Novak, Woonsocket, with second degree murder and two counts of first degree manslaughter
Gibson was killed in her home at 206 S. 3rd Ave., Woonsocket. Neighbors say Novak, Gibson and Gibson’s four young children lived in the home.
Authorities have not yet released the cause of death.
According to the indictment, the first degree murder charge states that “[Novak] did kill another human being … without authority of law and with a premeditated design to effect the death of Jennifer Ann Gibson.”
First degree murder is a Class A felony and carries a penalty of death or life imprisonment. A lesser sentence than death or life in prison may not be given, and a fine of $50,000 may also be imposed.
Second degree murder is a Class B felony and carries a minimum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $50,000 may also be imposed.
The first degree manslaughter charges state that “he did kill another human being … without any design to effect the death of Jennifer Ann Gibson, in the heat of passion, but in a cruel or unusual manner” and “…by means of a dangerous weapon.”
Witnesses testifying at the grand jury were, Tyler Neuharth, Dr. Kenneth Snell, Russell Novak, Donald Novak, Dawn Novak, Jerauld County Sheriff Jason Weber and Sanborn County Deputy Jason Coenen.
Authorities from the Sanborn and Jerauld County sheriff’s offices, the Department of Criminal Investigation and the Highway Patrol locked down a block-wide area around the home the morning of Aug. 31, after local police received a call that an incident may have occurred at the residence.
Police were able to take Novak into custody a short time later, without further incident.
Novak is being held in the Beadle County Jail on a $350,000 bond. He is being represented by court-appointed attorney, Jeffrey Burns.
Sanborn County State’s Attorney Jeff Larson and Assistant Attorney General Brent Kempema are prosecuting the case.
-
Weather
Failure notice from provider:
Connection Error:http_request_failedUpcoming Events
April 2024 SSunday MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday 31March 31, 2024 1April 1, 2024 2April 2, 2024 3April 3, 2024 4April 4, 2024 5April 5, 2024 6April 6, 2024 7April 7, 2024 8April 8, 2024 9April 9, 2024 10April 10, 2024 11April 11, 2024 12April 12, 2024 13April 13, 2024 14April 14, 2024 15April 15, 2024 16April 16, 2024 17April 17, 2024 18April 18, 2024 19April 19, 2024 20April 20, 2024 21April 21, 2024 22April 22, 2024 23April 23, 2024 24April 24, 2024 25April 25, 2024 26April 26, 2024 27April 27, 2024 28April 28, 2024 29April 29, 2024 30April 30, 2024 1May 1, 2024 2May 2, 2024 3May 3, 2024 4May 4, 2024 -
Recent Posts
Contact Us
Archives
Tweet