RAPID CITY, S.D. – A man convicted of shooting to death a Meade County rancher in the early 1970’s has made an application to the Board and Pardons and Paroles for a commutation of sentence.
John Proctor is serving a life sentence for the shooting death of Arlon Hamm, who was found dead on his ranch property on the north side of Bear Butte on the night of August 1, 1973. Investigators say Hamm had been shot with two different shotguns.
Proctor was convicted of First Degree Murder in the death and received his sentence from Judge Clarence Cooper in November of 1973.
The case also involved Arlon Hamm’s stepmother, Billie Jean Hamm, who was convicted on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. She appealed to the Supreme Court, but lost her case.
Proctor’s parole hearing has been set for July 15th.
