Dupree, SD Man Sentenced for Second Degree Murder

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Dupree, South Dakota, man convicted of Second Degree Murder was sentenced on October 11, 2023, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Stuart Cochran, Sr., age 50, was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison, four years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Cochran was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022.  He pleaded guilty on July 11, 2023.

On the morning of June 25, 2022, Stuart Cochran, Sr. was driving home to Dupree when he observed the victim walking on the shoulder of US Hwy 212 near Eagle Butte, SD.  Cochran bore a grudge against the victim based on past altercations.  Cochran pulled up next to the victim.  The two exchanged profanities.  Cochran drew a pistol, leveled it at the victim and pulled the trigger.  When the gun did not fire, Cochran racked the pistol slide and pulled the trigger again, shooting the victim in the face and killing him.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Cochran was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.