A county prosecutor in South Dakota is still seeking the extradition of two men from the Pine Ridge Reservation even after one of their co-defendants was acquitted in the beating of a non-Indian.

Brothers Dakota and Dirk Garnier fled to the reservation after the June 2 beating in Fall River County. The state asked Oglala Sioux Tribe President Cecilia Fire Thunder to negotiate a compact to extradite the men but there has been no progress on a deal.

The county attorney said he still plans to prosecute the Garniers for the beating of Matthew Pepin. Dakota Garnier, 19, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. Dirk Garnier, 20, is charged with aggravated assault.

Their co-defendant, George Birlew, 23, was acquitted of attempted murder and aggravated assault by a jury on Wednesday.

Get the Story:
Extradition of suspects still sought (The Rapid City Journal 12/9)

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