MITCHELL, S.D. (KMIT) – A Mitchell man who was involved in an altercation outside a Mitchell bar in January that left another man dead pleaded no contest to 2nd degree manslaughter on Tuesday. In exchange for the no contest plea, other charges against 27-year-old Dylan Thompson were dropped. The state will recommend a 10-year prison sentence for Thompson.
On the night of Jan. 3, Thompson engaged in a fight outside of Thirsty’s with 59-year-old Rick Sanders, punching him and knocking him down. Sanders got up, and Thompson punched him again with Sanders’ head hitting the pavement, which knocked him unconscious. He was pronounced dead several days later.
Sentencing was set for Jan. 2.