South Dakota’s only death row inmate, Briley Wayne Piper, has lost a federal appeal seeking to overturn his death sentence for the brutal 2000 murder of Chester Allan Poage near Spearfish.
U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange rejected Piper’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus, dismissing claims that his legal counsel was ineffective and denying his request to have his sentence overturned. The ruling follows a Feb. 28 hearing in Sioux Falls.
“Briley Piper has refused to take responsibility or show any remorse for the heinous murder of Chester Poage 25 years ago,” South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a statement. “The court’s ruling is a step forward in carrying out the jury’s verdict and assuring that the Poage family receives justice.”
