Bond lowered for suspect in Sioux Falls slaying

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Bond has been lowered for one of the five suspects in a Sioux Falls home invasion and homicide late last year.

The Argus Leader reports (https://argusne.ws/1oTkGn1) that Judge Brad Zell on Thursday reduced 21-year-old Douglas Scholten’s bond from $250,000 to $50,000. Scholten’s attorney said his client was a minor player in the botched robbery plot that allegedly led to the Dec. 2 slaying of 20-year-old Jordan LeBeau and the wounding of his 48-year-old father.

Scholten, of Dell Rapids, faces several charges including murder. Prosecutor Amanda Eden objected to a lower bond, saying the defense’s portrayal of Scholten as an unwitting bystander is inaccurate.

Zell said he would lower bond in part because Scholten has been more cooperative than his co-defendants, and doesn’t appear to be a danger to the community.

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Information from: Argus Leader, https://www.argusleader.com