RAPID CITY, S.D. -From KNBN-TV-News Center One
The six former members of the Mitchell Legion Baseball team who are facing charges of Second Degree Rape and Aiding and Abetting Rape were arraigned Tuesday morning at the Pennington County courthouse. The case is being pursued in Pennington County because that is where the alleged incidents took place.
All six defendants face multiple charges and entered “Not Guilty” pleas for all charges faced. Each charge represents a Class One felony and is punishable by a sentence of up to 50 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Hudson Michael Haley, 18, is facing two counts of Second Degree Rape and one count of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Rape. Mr. Haley’s charges involve two separate victims.
Landon William Waddell, 19, is facing one count of Second Degree Rape and two counts of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Rape with one of those counts involving a minor. Mr. Waddell’s charges involve two separate victims.
Peyton Douglas Mandel, 17, is facing one count of Second Degree Rape and one count of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Rape.
Lincoln Charles Bates, 18, is facing one count of Second Degree Rape and one count of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Rape.
Carter Ryan Miller, 18, is facing one count of Second Degree Rape and one count of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Rape.
Karter Marcus Sibson, 17, is facing one count of Second Degree Rape and one count of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Rape.
The bond conditions for the accused specified they were to have no contact with the victims and they were not allowed to take part in school extracurricular activities or to attend school events. The bonds of five of the individuals: Haley, Waddell, Bates, Miller, and Sibson had been modified so that they could attend school.
The other defendant, Mandel, has not had this modification made yet. Mandell’s attorney filed a motion that he be allowed to attend school, school events and participate in extracurricular activities as he has been a part of the basketball team. The State pushed back against this motion. One of the alleged victims attends the same school as Mandel and has had discomfort being around any of the defendants.
Judge Robert Gusinsky asked if there were any violations made to the defendant’s bond and the State said there was not. Judge Gusinsky allowed to motion provided that Mandel maintains a distance of 100 feet away from the victim at school activities, maintains a 30-foot distance during school, that the victim does not also participate in the activity and that the defendant and the victim do not share any classes together. The State said they had worked with the school to ensure they had separate classes.
There was also a motion filed on behalf of Landon William Waddell that he would have his bond modified so that he could attend a trip with his family over the Christmas holiday. The State had no objection to this and the motion was granted. With all pleading “Not Guilty” there has been a status hearing scheduled for February 6 at 2:30 p.m. This will allow the State to continue discovery and allow any motions to be filed.