RAID CITY, S.D. – The man charged in the death of a woman in her home earlier this week will remain in jail with no bond.
Brent Kertzman was in front of Judge Sarah Morrisson on Thursday.
The 64-year-old Kertzman is charged in the death of 54-year-old Julie Fisk, who was found dead in her home on Tuesday.
Kertzman is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree arson. The first-degree murder charge, a Class A Felony, carries severe penalties, potentially including capital punishment. It has not been disclosed whether the state will seek the death penalty, but a conviction would result in a life sentence. Additionally, the first-degree arson charge, a Class 2 Felony, could lead to imprisonment of up to 25 years and a fine of $50,000.
State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel presented a compelling case for denying bond, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations. Roetzel argued that Kertzman bludgeoned Fisk while she slept and subsequently set fire to her home. Concerns over community safety, Kertzman’s potential harm to himself, recent self-harm attempts, and the perceived flight risk due to his access to resources and extensive travel experience were key points in the prosecution’s argument.
The state contends Kertzman bludgeoned Fisk while she slept and then set her home on fire.
Roetzel noted on the record that Fisk had recently ended her relationship with Kertzman and relocated to a new home.
