Jackley now leading prosecution team in Watertown murder trial (Audio)

July 26, 2023
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has taken the reins in prosecuting a Watertown murder case.

Jackley was in court Tuesday as a motions hearing was held in the case of 43 year-old Jeremiah Peacemaker of Watertown. He’s charged with First Degree Murder in the September 2020 death of 28 year-old Kendra Owen.

The First Degree Murder charge made Peacemaker eligible to be put to death if convicted, but Jackley tells KWAT News he will not seek the death penalty in this case….

Defense attorney Scott Bratland is attempting to get some potential evidence that could be used against his client tossed out before the September 7th trial. Jackley says that’s not unusual….

Owen’s body was found at her residence on September 2, 2020 as police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check on her. Her body was found in a severely decomposed state, which led investigators to believe that she had been dead for several days.

Peacemaker remains jailed in Watertown one $1 million cash only bond.

His trial is scheduled to begin September 7th. Jackley expects it to last up to two weeks.