1 min read

Common-law Wife Charged For Role In Lemmon Manslaughter Case

BISON, S.D. (AP) — Authorities have charged the common-law wife of a northwestern South Dakota man accused of shooting a man in their home for her role in the man’s death.

Samantha Briscoe was indicted Wednesday and arrested Thursday on a charge of first-degree aiding and abetting manslaughter. Brady Hooker was charged in April with first-degree manslaughter for shooting and killing 32-year-old Leon Paulsen in his home in Lemmon.

Randy Connelly, Hooker’s attorney, tells The Associated Press that he’s “shocked” and that Briscoe’s charge adds “insult to injury.”

Connelly says Hooker, Briscoe and a witness all say Hooker shot Paulsen in self-defense. Connelly says Briscoe initially brought out the AR-15 style rifle after Paulsen allegedly assaulted Hooker and a friend.

Connelly says Hooker took the gun from Briscoe to keep Paulsen from getting it.