RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man was found guilty Friday on both counts of first-degree murder and second-degree rape.
A jury found James Jumping Eagle guilty following a week-long trial.
Jumping Eagle was charged in the murder and rape of Reta McGovern in her Rapid City home in February of 2021.
Prosecutors during closing arguments Friday says the video evidence of Jumping Eagle near a dumpster by Safeway shows him disposing of items which they say were the blood-soaked clothes of McGovern containing both their DNA.
That evidence, paired with the fact he was the only person other than McGovern known to be at the crime scene, was enough in the state’s mind to prove guilt, which the jury seemed to believe as well.
Jumping Eagle will have to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation before his sentencing hearing on May 6. He could face up to life in prison.
