Bond set at $500k for man accused in Rapid City motel death

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By Cindy Davis - email

Bond is set at $500,000 for the man accused of shooting and killing another man outside a Rapid City motel.

Charles Birds Head, who is 30-years-old, is accused in the Jan. 7 death of 33-year-old Eustacio Murrufo. The state has charged him with felony manslaughter, among a laundry list of other charges.

The lead investigator on the case, Det. Steve Neavill, testified Tuesday afternoon that Birds Head tried to disguise his appearance by dying his hair, tried to hide and disassemble the gun used in the killing, and tried to influence potential witnesses.

Based on Neavill's testimony and because Birds Head was at the Rapid City motel to deal drugs, Pennington County State's Attorney Mark Vargo requested that Birds Head's remain in jail without bond.

Defense attorney, Jamy Patterson insisted the crime occurred in self-defense. And, that her client was the victim of a "set-up" staged by Murrufo and others in order to rob him.

Patterson argued that Birds Head has ties to the community, and has never been convicted of a felony.

After hearing from both sides, Judge Wally Eklund set the bond $500,00 - cash only.

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Bond set at $500k for man accused in Rapid City motel death - KOTA Territory News

Bond set at $500k for man accused in Rapid City motel death

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