McLaughlin Man Pleads to Voluntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Kendall White Tail, age 19, of McLaughlin, appeared before United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on June 27, 2011, and pled guilty to a superseding information that charged him with voluntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 15 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; three years of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.

The voluntary manslaughter charge resulted from an incident on April 16, 2011, at approximately 11:00 a.m., when Kendall White Tail got into an argument with his brother in the kitchen of their mother’s residence in McLaughlin. During the sudden quarrel, Kendall White Tail picked up a knife and stabbed his brother several times, resulting in Charles White Tail’s death.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for September 6, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.