Two adults connected to the Mitchell American Legion baseball program have entered not guilty pleas to charges of failure to report sexual assault.
A spokesperson for the Pennington County States’ Attorney says coach Luke Norden and team board member Jeremy Borgan have both pleaded not guilty and await a joint court trial in March.
The legal saga began this summer after two 16-year-old team members alleged they were the victims of assault during a team trip to Pennington County.
The incident, framed as a “team hazing ritual” by defense, has been described as a “forceable assault” by prosecution.
Six team members between the ages of 17 and 19 face varying adult charges of second-degree rape as a result and have pleaded not guilty.
South Dakota law describes that charge as involving “force, coercion, or threats of immediate and great bodily injury.” That class one felony carries a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison per count.
