Man Accused in Death of Researchers Appeals to High Court

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Lake Andes man accused of driving drunk and killing two federal wildlife researchers is appealing to South Dakota's Supreme Court.

Thirty-one-year-old Ronald Fischer Jr. is serving 30 years in prison on convictions for vehicular homicide and related charges in the July 2013 deaths of 25-year-old Maegan Spindler, of Cazenovia, New York, and 46-year-old Robert Klumb, of Pierre.

Authorities say Fischer was driving under the influence, ran a stop sign and struck the two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers in a parking lot. They were conducting tests on the Missouri River.

The Daily Republic reports Fischer says authorities infringed on his constitutional rights by drawing blood without a warrant. The blood samples were used as evidence.

Prosecutors maintain law officers did nothing wrong.

Justices will rule later.

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