GUILTY SD - Myron Rock, 47, beaten to death, Rapid City, 6 July 2014

Michael Hand is accused of killing Myron Rock in July in an alley adjoining the west side Safeway. An autopsy showed that Rock died from blunt force trauma and strangulation...

A status hearing is set for January 10, 2015.

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Hand's attorney, Eric Whitcher, revealed that his client may suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other mental health issues.

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Judge Craig Pfeifle found Hand to be competent based on prior mental health evaluations.

If convicted of second degree murder, Hand will face a mandatory life sentence and a possible $50,000 fine...

Hand is scheduled to stand trial the week of August 17th.

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Hand has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to second-degree murder. His attorney earlier asked Judge Craig Pfeifle to suppress statements Hand gave police. A psychologist testified Hand is intellectually disabled and would have some difficulty understanding his rights.

Police testified Hand was read his rights before he was interviewed, agreed to speak with police and waived his right to an attorney.

Pfeifle denied the defense motion on Thursday.

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A man accused of beating and strangling another man in Rapid City last year has pleaded guilty to manslaughter...

Hand’s confession statement says he struck Rock multiple times in a fit of anger. He says he didn’t mean to kill Rock.

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Michael Hand pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter for killing Myron Rock behind Cold Stone Creamery in July of 2014 in court last month and Friday he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Hand received the maximum sentence agreed to by Seventh Circuit Judge Craig Pfeifle after pleading guilty to first degree manslaughter in a plea agreement with the state last month.

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