Latest news with #SiouxValley
CBC
24-05-2025
- CBC
Brandon court hears closing arguments in trial of woman accused of murder in cousin's death
The trial of a woman accused of killing her cousin in December 2022 heard closing arguments Friday, with the defence saying the accused acted in self-defence while the Crown argued she's guilty of second-degree murder. Rennie Kristyna Williams, 28, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of her cousin, Naomi Hope Williams, 26, who died in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. On Friday, defence lawyer Robert Harrison told the the Court of King's Bench in Brandon his client acted in self-defence on Dec. 9, 2022. He described Rennie Williams as a peacemaker who wanted to prevent a fight with her cousin from escalating into violence. Harrison cited testimony by his client who said Naomi Williams had thrown a plate in Williams's face earlier in the evening. "I didn't want to start anything because me and my cousin never fought before, so I didn't want it to lead to that," Harrison told the court, recounting his client's testimony. However, a fight started that ended when Rennie Williams stabbed her cousin. Harrison argued in the end his client was left with no other choice but to stab her cousin after the fight escalated because she was afraid for her life, adding that drugs and alcohol, including methamphetamine, were factors in the fatal events. Crown Brett Rach countered that Rennie Williams was the only person to testify that she had tried to keep the peace. He argued her version of events lacked credibility and that her charge should not be reduced to manslaughter. Rennie Williams was the aggressor and her cousin became her target that night, Rach said, culminating in Williams stabbing her cousin in the chest with a knife Rennie owned. He pointed to inconsistencies in Williams's testimony, including conflicting accounts of the room where the stabbing occurred. "There is no reason to believe that the way that things happened is how she said it happened," Rach said. "There's no air of reality to self-defence is the Crown's position in that Ms. Rennie Williams created the situation — she created the catalyst, her motive was not defensive." As well, Rach said, the defendant admitted to stabbing her cousin, but did not seek help and disposed of evidence. Justice Elliot Leven has asked both lawyers to assist his ruling by finding cases where the involvement of drugs and alcohol led a charge of second-degree murder to be reduced to manslaughter. His decision is expected in July.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
13 candidates from area high schools up for the Public Opinion Athlete of the Week
Another pretty good week of weather led to a number of high school athletic events last week. It also led to a big group of candidates for the Public Opinion Athlete of the Week honor for April 28-May 4. Advertisement We have 13 candidates up for the honor (20 athletes overall). Now it's up to you to decide. Vote! Voting will remain open until midnight on Sunday. 2025 Public Opinion Spring Athletes of the Week March 7-April 6 — Kameron Hauck, Sioux Valley baseball. April 7-13 — Devon Fischbach, W.I.N. baseball. April 14-20 — Alayna Dettman, Watertown softball. April 21-27 — Kennadi Sayler, Milbank softball. Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@ This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Watertown Public Opinion Athlete of the Week poll for April 28-May 4
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dakota Valley, Sioux Valley advance to class ‘A' state
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Eight teams punched their ticket to the class 'A' state tournament on Thursday, including Dakota Valley and Sioux Valley. The Panthers earned the two-seed in the SoDak 16, but they needed every second Thursday to hold off West Central. Dakota Valley claimed a 53-52 win. Sioux Valley played in the 7 vs. 10 matchup against Miller. The Cossacks grabbed an early lead and they slowly added on as they claimed a 60-34 win. Class 'A', 'B' girls state basketball brackets unveiled You can find the state tournament brackets at the link above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
