RAPID CITY, S.D. – The man who was originally arrested as an accessory to the murder of Esther Wolfe may have had a more active role in the killing than initially suspected.
Ezekial Mayweather was taken into custody after the shooting and was facing charges of aiding and abetting first degree murder.
The State has uncovered evidence that Mayweather blamed Wolfe for his brother’s death in 2019 and that the “public execution” of Wolfe was meant as retaliation. Law enforcement has sstated that any speculation that assigned guilt to Wolfe in Mayweather’s death is “unfounded.” The shooting occurred on what would have been Mayweather’s brother’s birthday.
Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel urged the court in a bond hearing to revoked the $50,000 cash bond that was initially placed. Roetzel claimed that Mayweather not only orchestrated the murder but provided the gun that was used. Roetzel also said that Mayweather had directed another individual to shoot Wolfe. Judge Hrominus agreed with Roetzel and revoked Mayweather’s bond.
Roetzel has not yet announced whether she will seek the dearth penalty in this case.
