STURGIS, S.D. – The 17-year-old charged with first degree murder made a brief court appearance today in Meade County Court.
Michael Campbell, whose name has been released because he is currently being charged as an adult, is accused of fatally shooting 16-year-old Shayna Ritthaler during an argument.
Campbell’s defense team used today’s brief appearance to ask for a hearing to transfer his case to juvenile court.
Judge Kevin Krull set January 24th as the day to take testimony on the request.
The defense is also proposing filing a motion to suppress some evidence in the case regarding things Campbell may have said to authorities on the day of his arrest.
Campbell has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the first degree murder charge, as well as an alternative of second degree murder.
Ritthaler, from Upton, Wyoming, was reported missing October 3rd. Her body was found in Campbell’s home in Blucksberg Estates near Sturgis on October 7th.
