The next phase of the legal aspect of the murder in Woonsocket has arrived. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the findings Monday.

According to a press release, a Sanborn County grand jury has indicted 33 year-old Matthew Walter Novak of Woonsocket, charging him with alternate counts of first degree murder, second degree murder and first degree manslaughter. The indictment charged that on or about August 31, 2016, Novak murdered Jennifer Ann Gibson at their place of residence located in Woonsocket.

The residence was near a school that temporarily went into lockdown after police were notified. Police officers had surrounded the home with guns drawn, but Novak was arrested without incident.

The penalty for first degree murder is a mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary or death. The penalty for second degree murder is a mandatory life sentence in the state penitentiary. The maximum penalty for first degree manslaughter is up to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary and/or $50,000 fine.

This case is being investigated by the Sanborn County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.


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