A Rapid City woman pleaded no contest Thursday to a second‑degree manslaughter charge.
Taylor Bird Horse, 27, entered the plea during a change‑of‑plea hearing April 2 before Presiding Circuit Court Judge Heidi Linngren at the Pennington County Courthouse.
The case stems from the April 2025 death of 45‑year‑old Karri St. John. Police were notified April 10 by Monument Health Rapid City Hospital that St. John died from an infection caused by a stab wound. Investigators determined the stabbing occurred April 7 during a physical altercation inside an apartment in the 1700 block of North Maple Avenue. Police later recovered the suspected weapon during a search of Bird Horse’s apartment.
Bird Horse was arrested April 14, 2025, and initially charged with first‑degree manslaughter, a Class C felony punishable by up to life in prison. Under a plea agreement, the charge was reduced to second‑degree manslaughter, a Class 4 felony carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 13.
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