The trial of Richard Hirth, accused in the murder of Jessica Rehfeld in the Black Hills in 2015, has been abruptly canceled.
This decision came after it was revealed that the defense’s expert witness, Dr. William Stratford, had entered a civil settlement agreement with the federal government following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), which alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
Hirth’s attorney had requested that the judge prevent questions about the DEA’s investigation or settlement, but the request was denied.
Dr. Stratford subsequently indicated his refusal to testify.
In light of these developments, Seventh Circuit Court Judge Heidi Linngren deemed Stratford an unreliable witness, compromising Hirth’s right to a fair trial and leading to the trial’s cancellation.
The Pennington County State’s Attorney’s office expressed its commitment to ensuring justice is ultimately served in the case.
Prosecutors maintain that Hirth was hired by Jonathan Klinetobe to carry out Rehfeld’s murder, with Klinetobe being Rehfeld’s former partner. Klinetobe and several other suspects in the case have already been tried and convicted.