Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Manslaughter

Pedro Simental, a 44-year-old man from South Dakota, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the first-degree manslaughter of 40-year-old Edleigha Little, stemming from an incident in November 2023 where he struck her with a can of beans after she ripped his football jersey. Both the prosecution and defense recommended the 15-year sentence, which was deemed appropriate by Judge Joshua Hendrickson, who acknowledged the complexities of the case, including Little's severe alcoholism and poor health at the time. During the trial, it was revealed that Little had a blood alcohol content of 0.474%, and defense arguments suggested her existing health issues contributed significantly to her death. Simental expressed some acceptance of responsibility, but prosecutors highlighted his lack of accountability. Little's niece delivered a poignant victim impact statement, describing her aunt as caring and thoughtful while urging the judge to impose a lengthy sentence to prevent future harm. The case has drawn attention due to the bizarre nature of the weapon used and the circumstances leading to the fatal confrontation.