STURGIS, S.D. – The 17-year-old boy arrested in connection with the death of a young girl made his initial court appearance before Judge Kevin Krull Wednesday morning.
The state is charging Michael Gavin Campbell with murder in the second degree. His name is being released because he is being charged as an adult.
Judge Krull granted a motion Wednesday to seal the probable cause affidavit in the case. That means details of how the two knew each other and what happened leading up to the crime will not be known for now.
However, acting Meade County State’s Attorney Michelle Bordewyk asked for Campbell to be held with no bond, stating in court “the nature of the offense shows the defendant was with the victim and an argument led to him shooting her.”
Judge Krull ordered Campbell be held in lieu of $1 million dollars cash or surety bond.
The victim’s body was found Monday after deputies, working with Moorcroft police, and state investigators searched the home in the Blucksberg subdivision near Sturgis. Authorities believe she is 16-year-old Shayna Ritthaler. Ritthaler was reported missing out of Moorcroft, Wyoming on October 3rd. An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday.
If Campbell is released on bond, he was ordered to have no contact with the victim’s family. His attorney, Steven Titus, says he will ask for the case to be returned to juvenile court and that his client will plead not guilty at his arraignment hearing Thursday, October 17.
