ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - A man accused of killing his fiancee has posted a $1 million bond and is now living in the northeastern part of South Dakota.
Joseph Schmitz, 47, posted bond in Lake County on July 6, the Aberdeen American News (https://bit.ly/2t73S9U ) reported. Court documents show that Perry Strombeck of Rapid City provided the bond money.
Brown County Chief Deputy Tom Schmitt said police are aware that he’s living in Aberdeen and that Lake County officials are monitoring his location by GPS.
Schmitz is accused in the April 2016 death of Corina Booth, who police said was shot three times at a home on Lake Madison.
Court documents show Schmitz called 911 to report he had shot Booth after she attempted to stab him. An open pocket knife was found next to Booth, who was found lying on a mattress, but the knife appeared unused, according to the court records.
Schmitz has pleaded not guilty to alternate counts of felony first-degree or second-degree murder.
He was only allowed to be released on several conditions. Schmitz must notify law enforcement of his Aberdeen address; he must pay $5 per day for GPS monitoring; he cannot contact the victim’s family or potential witnesses; he must stay in Brown County; he must notify Lake County officials if his address changes; and he must attend all court hearings.
The next court hearing for Schmitz is scheduled for July 25. He is expected to stand trial Oct. 5.
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Information from: Aberdeen American News, https://www.aberdeennews.com
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