A Rapid City man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter Friday in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred downtown more than a year ago.
Diontae Eagleman, 23, entered the plea during a hearing April 24 before Circuit Court Judge Matthew Brown at the Pennington County Courthouse. Eagleman admitted he stabbed Francis Tobacco, 55, in the chest during an incident that took place around 7 p.m. April 1, 2025, in the 400 block of Sixth Street.
Tobacco died later at a hospital. Rapid City police said the two men, who were unhoused, knew each other and the stabbing was not random.
Eagleman was originally charged with first-degree murder, his trial had been scheduled to begin May 18 but was canceled following the plea agreement.
Under the deal, Eagleman pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and prosecutors will seek a 40-year prison sentence. Sentencing is set for June 15.
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