ONIDA, S.D. (AP) - Two farmhands charged in a shooting at a
party on a central South Dakota farm have pleaded not guilty to
assault charges and possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
Twenty-year-old Zane Van Der Merwe and 31-year-old
Stephan Van Der Berg entered the pleas during an arraignment at
Sully County Circuit Court in Onida on Wednesday.
The suspects are farmhands from South Africa who work for part
of the year in the Onida area. They face charges stemming from the
Nov. 27 shooting that put 37-year-old Gregorio Garcia in the
hospital.
Authorities allege the shooting followed an altercation between
Van Der Merwe and Garcia after a night of drinking.
A trial for the two men has been scheduled for May 21-25.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-12-14-11 1801EST
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