Verdict . News

Nov 25, 2025•4 min read

•Ronald Clemensen was convicted of multiple counts of theft by exploitation of his elderly mother

South Dakota High Court Affirms Elder Abuse Conviction

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Ronald Peter Clemensen on multiple counts of theft by exploitation of his elderly mother. The case involved Clemensen mortgaging family farm property and using funds from his mother's investment account to cover debts from his failing business.

•The charges involved mortgaging family farm property and using his mother's investment account funds

Nov 19, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed that pending business lawsuit constitutes marital asset in divorce

S.D. Supreme Court: Pending Lawsuit Is Marital Asset in Divorce

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court's decision to treat a husband's pending lawsuit against former business partners as a marital asset subject to division in divorce proceedings. The unanimous ruling in King v. King establishes precedent for how courts handle contingent legal claims during property division.

•Gary King unsuccessfully challenged circuit court's classification of his litigation as divisible property

Nov 19, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed $139,724.60 attorney fee award to Johnson Properties in eminent domain case

South Dakota High Court Affirms $139K Attorney Fee Award in Sioux Falls Condemnation Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court's decision to award Johnson Properties $139,724.60 in attorney fees after the City of Sioux Falls condemned property at Arrowhead Parkway and Six Mile Road. The city had challenged the fee amount as excessive after a jury awarded $382,600 in just compensation.

•City of Sioux Falls condemned property at Arrowhead Parkway and Six Mile Road for roadway expansion project

Nov 12, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court suspended Tucker Volesky's law license for 30 days with at least six months probation

South Dakota Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Tucker Volesky for 30 Days

The South Dakota Supreme Court suspended attorney Tucker Volesky's law license for 30 days and placed him on probation after finding he violated professional conduct rules in lawsuit handling and trust account management. The discipline follows formal proceedings initiated by the State Bar's Disciplinary Board.

•Violations involved improper handling of lawsuits and law firm trust account management

Nov 12, 2025•4 min read

•Wife disclosed only $2 million in Canadian property insurance coverage during divorce proceedings but actually received $4 million in proceeds

South Dakota High Court Rules on $4M Insurance Fraud in Divorce Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled in *Trumble v. Trumble*, a divorce case where a wife failed to disclose the full value of insurance coverage on Canadian property that burned during proceedings. The court addressed whether the husband could obtain relief after discovering his ex-wife received $4 million instead of the disclosed $2 million in insurance proceeds.

•The Canadian residential property burned down during the pendency of the divorce case, creating complex valuation issues

Nov 12, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed lower court decision in construction dispute

South Dakota Supreme Court Issues Mixed Ruling in Construction Dispute

The South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed a lower court decision in a complex construction dispute between RTI Holdings and multiple engineering and equipment companies. The case involved claims against Pro Engineering, DesignArc Group, and three other defendants in what appears to be a commercial construction project gone wrong.

•Case involved RTI Holdings against five defendant companies including Pro Engineering, DesignArc Group, and Trane U.S.

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed jury verdict finding American West Insurance breached contract and acted in bad faith

S.D. Supreme Court Affirms Jury Verdict Against American West Insurance

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a jury verdict in favor of Mark Fiechtner against American West Insurance Company in a dispute over underinsured motorist benefits following a 2018 motor vehicle accident. The court upheld findings of breach of contract and bad faith, along with punitive damages and attorney fees.

•Case arose from 2018 motor vehicle accident where Fiechtner sought underinsured motorist benefits after exhausting other coverage

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court ruled on whether divorce automatically revokes IRA beneficiary designations

South Dakota Supreme Court Rules on IRA Beneficiary After Divorce

The South Dakota Supreme Court addressed whether divorce automatically revokes IRA beneficiary designations in a dispute over Roger Cunningham's retirement account. The case pitted his ex-wife Sheila against his estate's personal representative Susan Metz.

•Case involved dispute between ex-wife Sheila Cunningham and estate over Roger Cunningham's retirement account

Nov 5, 2025•4 min read

•South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed denial of motion to dismiss criminal charges based on speedy trial violation claims

South Dakota High Court Rejects Speedy Trial Challenge in State v. Longchase

The South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed a circuit court's denial of Soloman B. Longchase's motion to dismiss criminal charges based on alleged speedy trial violations. The court also addressed constitutional challenges to requiring defendants to reimburse counties for court-appointed attorney fees.

•Case involved five charges including aggravated assault, kidnapping, and grand theft stemming from August 2022 conduct