RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid city man was sentenced 22 years in prison Wednesday for first-degree murder.
Lawrence Mexican was initially charged with second-degree murder after he beat Harry Black Bear to death.
The incident took place in June of 2020 when police were called to a room at The Palms on Meade Street. It was there authorities found the Black Bear’s body.
Mexican may also serve that time concurrently with his potential federal prison sentence. Mexican was convicted of a felony for aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon in 2014 and served time in federal prison for this assault.
Once released in Rapid City, Mexican violated his probation, and he is still waiting for his sentencing for the violation. Mexican was charged with a third felony in 2019 where he was accused of hit and run.
