On May 12, 1982, the jury returned with its verdict: Not guilty. Instead, true to his extensive journalism career, he performed a public service by spending two years synthesizing old reporting, scouring case files and interviewing family members and many of those involved in the case and trial. Swenson, who later served as South Dakotas U.S. marshal, has been a friend since I met him in 2010. The prosecution was also hindered by the fact that they could not convince the jury that a man would harm or kill his own children. Ladonna Mathis was shot twice in the head at point-blank range inside the family's metal shed serving as their makeshift home. The woman got away unharmed but Robert was sentenced to 80 years in prison. The words "MATHUS SUCKS" were sprayed on the shed door in gold paint. The Mathis murders case technically remains open, though inactive. So he went straight to the source, speaking with Gary Lutgen, the court reporter who was in the room during the month-long trial in Yankton. When authorities were told and interviewed him, he was, as always, evasive and dismissive. Mathis had been attacked and shot in the arm by a masked assailant who he said killed his family. , where Hamiel retired from journalism as publisher in 2007. Meierhenry told the Republic in 2011 said he respected the verdict, though he did not go on the record on his personal beliefs on Mathis guilt or innocence. John is eventually charged with murdering his wife and two sons, but when he goes on trial, the jury acquits him. Now, after a full journalism career, he says he was compelled to write a book about the case due to its nature, the lack of a conviction and ongoing questions. , 1975, two young FBI agents - Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were murdered in cold blood on the Pine Ridge Indiana Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education met Tuesday to review and discuss the safety assessment of every school in the district. When Kim's mother found out about this, she warned John to leave her daughter alone or she would tell LaDonna, -Mathis' wristwatch was broken during his alleged struggle with the masked attacker, but there were no marks found on his wrist and two jewellers would testify that the amount of damage to the watch seemed to indicate it had been smashed multiple times. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! While Mathis was coming into the crosshairs of the case, investigators were dealing with roadblocks to finding the truth. There was a third son, Duane, just 9 months old, who was staying with relatives. I enjoyed reading this book as it was a very good and thorough review of the murders without any bloviating. The post South Dakota's Mathis murders: Horror in the Heartland first appeared on Native Sun News Today. When police arrive, they discover that John's wife, LaDonna Mathis, and their two children, four-year old Brian and two-year old Patrick, have been shot to death. Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022. Nobody's ever punished for it. South Dakota's Mathis Family Murders brought death and deception to the heartland. -the only blood found at the scene was inside the shed even though Mathis claimed his struggle with the attacker and gunshot wound to his arm took place outside the shed. Hamiel says he reached out to Mathis himself for an interview, but he declined, however, he did say something that Hamiel included in the book. Click here to listen to the podcast on Stitcher. This is something youre going to carry with you.". Though charged with the crime, the husband John Mathis was acquitted. It was rumoured that Vern Mathis may have helped his son cover up the crime and was returning after disposing of the gun and the spray can when Deputy Kirkus saw him arriving at the farm. Although Mathis's husband was charged with the crime, he was acquitted, leaving the case unsolved. I also saw that your book was our #1 Barnes and Noble seller last week.. Ladonna Mathis was shot twice in the head. Today, John Wayne Mathis, who turned 60 on July 25, continues to live on a farm eight miles north of Mount Vernon. John would claim that he woke up at 2:00 AM because Patrick needed to go to the bathroom. John took his son to the outhouse before returning him to bed, but then heard his hogs and his dog making noise. The three men abducted and tortured Poage for three hours before murdering him. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He was acquitted of three first-degree murder. A former state legislator, he was inducted into the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2012. In order to bring the case before an unbiased jury, the trial was moved to Yankton County, where the entire state focused its attention as the proceedings got underway. A former state legislator, he was inducted into the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2012. They didnt have a chance. 25 copies. "South Dakota's Mathis Murders: Horror in the Heartland", In the 1920s, a lawman in North Dakota had a dark secret He was Al Capones brother, Amid a night of costumed Halloween revelry, a man found beaten to death, Police deemed Refugio Rodriguez's death a suicide, not a murder. Early on the morning of Sept. 8, 1981, John Mathis called the Mount Vernon police to report that his 30-year-old wife Ladonna and their two young sons, ages four and two, had been shot and killed while they slept. But Hamiel had new access to the case, being granted rare access to investigative files from both the Davison County Sheriff's Office and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. He is also a member of the company's Editorial Advisory Board. N Dakota Ave. Ste. They described Ladonna as a multi-talented woman who was devoted to her family and her church, and they remembered Brian and Patrick as happy little guys. Ladonnas younger sister, Marilyn, was especially helpful in providing information and photos, Hamiel said, although he doesnt know whether any of Ladonnas family has read his book. The more I got into it, the more I thought this family should be remembered this lady and these two kids. Hamiel's new book extensively covers the crime and trial, but transcends the "whodunit" genre by respectfully memorializing those who were killed that night (LaDonna Mathis gets her own chapter), and charting the aftershocks of the acquittal that resonate to this day. But from the very beginning, the questions piled up. John Mathis was a suspect from the first moments. Law enforcement officials werent buying his story. Despite the missing murder weapon, a Davison County grand jury indicted John Mathis on three counts of murder. Now Minnesota BCA will review the case. Details. Hamiel said it wouldve cost thousands of dollars for the notes to be found and transcribed. When it comes to homicide in South Dakota, the state ranks as 20th lowest, which makes it above-average in terms of safety. Some of the most notorious South Dakota murders include those of William Kunnecke, a known killer and suspect serial murderer whose crimes were so horrific he was known as the Human Monster, and the Mathis Family murders of 1981 in which an entire family except for the father, of course, who remains the only suspect despite being acquitted of the crimes in court was wiped out in one night. Mathis told investigators that he did not even own a .22 rifle. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Two of her three children, ages 2 and 4, were also shot in the head. Book reviews, interviews, editors' picks, and more. When police arrive, they discover that Johns wife, LaDonna Mathis, and their two children, four-year old Brian and two-year old Patrick, have been shot to death. The mystery lingers despite discovery of the friend's bones, Piper Streyle's daughter documents her journey following infamous 1996 murder, 'This stuff is our legacy.' On Sept. 8, 1981, LaDonna Mathis and two of her three children were shot in the head at their home. These shocking homicides are ones we can never forget. Ladonna Mathis was shot twice in the head at point-blank range inside the family's metal shed serving as their makeshift home. In 1981-82, the story was closely followed in South Dakota. He is a South Dakota native who graduated from Chamberlain High School and Northern State University, where he majored in English before a long, successful and acclaimed career in newspapers. He claimed his son had found them on the ground and said they were a common sight in the area. Interested readers can He then attempted to go after his sister and a foreign exchange student. No one could figure out what Mathiss motive was and throughout the course of the investigation, the murder weapon was never found. When police officers arrived, Josh swung at an officer and cut him multiple times before police ended the scene by shooting him. Two of her three children, ages 2 and 4, were also shot in the head. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. All Rights Reserved. He lived with his 30-year old wife LaDonna and their three children: four-year old Brian, two-year old Patrick, and nine-month old Duane. On Sept. 8, an alleged masked intruder shot Ladonna Mathis, 30, Brian Mathis, 4, and Patrick Mathis, 2, while they were asleep in bed. Commentary And Information That Matter. This seemed to plant the idea that perhaps Mathis' story about his son finding a .22 shell on the ground wasn't quite as unbelievable as it initially sounded. Im living proof that my dad was not the monster people portrayed him to be, Hamiel said. When police arrive, they discover that John's wife, LaDonna Mathis, and their two children, four-year old Brian and two-year old Patrick, have been shot to death. Though her body was never found, Anderson was convicted of the rape and murder of Streyle. For all intents and purposes, the case is closed. The prosecution was led by then-Attorney General Mark Meierhenry, with attorneys Rick Johnson and Wally Eklund, both of Gregory, heading up the defense. Duane Mathis contacted our office to make his first public comments, saying he remained convinced his father was innocent, and wishing the media would stop writing about the events that forever changed his family. South Dakota's Mathis Murders : Noel Hamiel : 9781467150750 We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. John and Ladonnas infant son, Duane, was not harmed and John, then 30, sustained minor injuries. Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states and contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. More: Theresa Bentaas released on parole after 3 months in prison for death of newborn son in 1981, The Mathis trial was The worst one I had to sit through, Lutgen told Hamiel in the book. Two little kids. How much does a Summit League coach get paid? Two of her three children, ages two and four, were also shot in the head.