News
Trial Date Set for Triple Murder Suspect
Published
4 years agoon
By
Ron Richter
An arraignment hearing was held via video conference Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan for a man charged with three counts of First Degree Murder. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
Appearing via video conference from the Sheridan County Detention Center, 55-year-old Dana Beartusk pleaded “not guility” to three counts of First Degree Murder. Beartusk was charged with the crimes for allegedly killing three family members in Big Horn during the evening hours of Sunday, March 29.
District Court Judge John Fenn set the trial for September 28 and scheduled a pretrial conference for August 27 at 9 am. The trial is expected to last at least 5 days. Judge Fenn also set a date of June 12 for when the State has to let the Court know if they will be seeking the death penalty in the case. Each count of First Degree Murder is punishable by death, life in prison without parole, or life in prison according to law.
A request to modify Beartusk’s bond was denied, and Judge Fenn continued the bond under the same terms and conditions that were previously set in Circuit Court. Beartusk is being held at the Sheridan County Detention Center under a $750,000 cash only bond.
Brenda Smith
May 1, 2020 at 7:05 pm
This is sad, I wonder what makes a person do such a horrific crime as he did to his family. I can’t wrap my head around it. He needs the death penalty (my opinion only) there shouldn’t be a trial shoot him and get it over with, it’s a waste of the tax payers hard earned money. That’s all I have.
L. Johnson
May 2, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Brenda,
Your thought that Beartusk should be taken out and shot without trial is ignorant. It makes me wonder if these hateful words are rooted in an attitude that American Indians are not human beings.
I agree that these horrific killings deserve to be punished to the highest degree, but this man’s family is hurting with terrible pain. Believe me, I know.
Rebecca Hubbard
July 30, 2020 at 10:00 pm
I am part of the family…it hurts more to think he doesn’t feel guilt. And you can not ever know how we feel over our loss.
Harriett Oleson
May 4, 2020 at 9:25 am
A terrible crime, beyond understanding. But if this is still the USA and I do wonder sometimes lately.. EVERYONE, YES EVERYONE has a right to a speedy and FAIR trail.
Dean
May 1, 2020 at 8:49 pm
Who pleads not guilty to this crime when caught red handed. Death penalty, absolutely.