One of the suspects convicted in the death of Jessica Rehfeld is having his sentenced reduced for cooperating in the investigation.
A Seventh Circuit Court judge reduced David Schneider 75-year sentence in half, according to the Pennington County State’s Attorney's office.
Prosecutors say in 2015, Rehfeld’s ex-boyfriend hired Schneider and another man to kill Rehfeld. Schneider held Rehfeld down to stop her from escaping. Rehfeld's body was buried in a rural area in the Black Hills and wasn't found until a year later.
Schneider’s attorney said while Schneider recognizes his role in Rehfeld's death is inexcusable, he has expressed “genuine and profound” remorse for his role in the crime. Rehfeld’s family gave their blessing to reducing Schneider’s sentence, saying his cooperation with the case spared the family trauma of dealing with additional trials.
“What I and others witnessed in the courtroom today was rare — a sentence modification in a murder case, a father forgiving the man who helped take his daughter’s life, and two families embracing at the end of a harrowing chapter,” said State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel. “While Schneider was rightly held accountable, the state is grateful for the role he played in the successful prosecution of the men who orchestrated and carried out this horrific act. Based on his cooperation and behavior over the past eight years, we are confident he can live a life of meaning and service after his release.”
Schneider has been in custody since 2016. He is now eligible for parole in eight years.
The sentence modification follows the recent sentencing of the final defendant in the case, which Roetzel said brings closure to nearly ten years of investigation and legal proceedings.
