Man Sentenced For Rape And Murder In Western SD

(Pennington County, SD) — A man will spend the rest of life in prison for the murder and rape of an elderly woman in Rapid City. On Monday, a judge in Pennington County sentenced 48-year-old James Jumping Eagle to life in prison for first-degree murder plus 50 years for rape. Eighty-two-year-old Reta McGovern was reportedly raped and murdered by Jumping Eagle in February 2021. During the sentencing, the Senior Deputy State’s Attorney pointed out Jumping Eagle’s criminal history which included the rape of two other women.