The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case of Shanon R. Thomas, a member of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska who was convicted of murder.

Thomas, 34, was found guilty of first-degree murder. Authorities say he shot and killed his former girlfriend, 46-year-old Dawn Starlin, on the reservation in April 2010. Starlin was a tribal member.

At issue is an interrogation that occurred shortly after the crime. Thomas indicated to authorities that he was willing to be taken into custody for questioning.

Instead, authorities questioned him at his mother's home. He was never informed of his Miranda rights in violation of the U.S. Constitution, according to his attorney.

The 8th Circuit took the case under advisement.

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Thomas Murder Case Heard By U.S. Court (The Yankton Press & Dakotan 10/27)