WATERTOWN, S.D.(KWAT)–The defense team for Jeremiah Peacemaker has released a statement to KWAT News about the outcome of his recent nine day trial in Watertown.

On Tuesday, Peacemaker was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter charges in the decapitation killing of Kendra Owen in August 2020.

The statement signed by attorneys Kate Benson and Scott Bratland reads, “after being incarcerated for over three and a half years, Jeremiah Peacemaker’s side of the story was finally told. The jury must be commended for their bravery and their correct verdict. This investigation was shockingly bad at every level. A serious internal review of the policies and procedures must happen immediately. This can never happen again. The family of Kendra Owen is still waiting for justice, and we pray that they get it.”

Prosecutors had no weapon, no confession and no eyewitnesses to the homicide, and ultimately, the jury set Peacemaker free with a full acquittal of all charges against him.