The trial of Ezekiel Mayweather, who is accused of orchestrating the February 2024 shooting of Esther Wolfe in Rapid City, continued at the Pennington County Courthouse. Mayweather, 24, faces charges of aiding and abetting first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege he planned the killing, believing Wolfe was connected to his brother Michael Mayweather’s 2019 suicide.
Jurors heard Mayweather’s recorded police interview for the first time, in which he denied involvement and claimed he was celebrating his late brother’s birthday with family. However, video footage and cell data placed him near the crime scene, and witness testimony contradicted his account.
Arkadius Wright Sr., 22, who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, testified that Mayweather gave him the gun and pressured him to kill Wolfe. Investigators later recovered the murder weapon buried in a park, though forensic analysis found no usable fingerprints or DNA.
Lead investigator Sgt. A.J. Randazzo described Mayweather as cooperative but evasive, noting signs of nervousness during questioning. The defense challenged the thoroughness of the investigation and disputed claims of motive, arguing there’s no clear evidence Mayweather intended harm.
The trial continues today with the state expected to call its final witnesses. It remains unclear whether Mayweather will testify.
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