TYNDALL, S.D. (AP) — Prosecutors are weighing whether to pursue the death penalty for a Scotland man if he’s convicted of shooting five people, including three fatally, in Bon Homme County.
Francis Lange, 42, is scheduled for an October trial. He’s accused of killing his former girlfriend, Angela Monclova, as well as her father, Librado Monclova, and Diane Akins. Vicki Monclova and a 5-year-old girl who has not been identified, were injured in the Nov. 9, 2021 shooting at a Scotland residence.
Circuit Judge Cheryle Gering has granted a second extension on the state’s death penalty decision. She has received a request from both the prosecution and defense for more time to complete Lange’s mental evaluation, the Yankton Press and Dakotan reported.
“Both parties agree that, in order to determine whether or not to seek the death penalty, the state should have the completed competency evaluation,” the judge wrote. “Both parties agree to allow the state to make its death penalty determination two weeks after the competency evaluation has been completed and disclosed to the state.”
Lange faces nine felony counts in the case, including three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
He remains in the Bon Homme County Jail in Tyndall on a $2 million cash bond.