McLaughlin Man Sentenced in Manslaughter Death of His Brother

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a McLaughlin man charged with voluntary manslaughter was sentenced on September 26, 2011, by United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. Kendall Lee White Tail, age 19, was sentenced to 63 months in custody, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

White Tail was indicted for second-degree murder by a federal grand jury on April 19, 2011. The voluntary manslaughter conviction resulted from an incident on April 16, 2011, 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 the death of his brother, Charles White Tail. Kendall White Tail pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter on June 27, 2011.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case.

White Tail was immediately turned over to the custody of the United States Marshal to begin serving his sentence.