Ezekiel Mayweather formally receives mandatory life sentence for murder

RAPID CITY — On December 10, 24-year-old Ezekiel Mayweather formally received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for aiding and abetting first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Esther Wolfe. Under South Dakota law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence.

On February 21, 2024, what would have been the 25th birthday of Michael Mayweather, the defendant’s brother who died in 2019, Esther Wolfe was shot once in the head and killed on Pine Street in Rapid City by Arkadius Wright, 22. The State held Mayweather accountable for orchestrating the killing. Prosecutors asserted that Wolfe’s murder was planned and motivated by Mayweather’s false belief that she was involved in his brother’s death, which had been ruled a suicide.

Today, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Gina Nelson spoke to the gravity of the crime and called Mayweather the “planner”, “instigator” and “driving force” behind the plot to kill Wolfe.

“Ezekiel Mayweather spent five years festering on his hatred of Esther Wolfe. Five years essentially plotting her death. A five-year crusade fueled by hate, obsession, and a twisted need for revenge that had no basis in truth and no grounding in reality,” Nelson said.

Nelson concluded her remarks by stating: “Esther’s life – and her courage – matter. Esther Wolfe deserved a future. She deserved peace. She deserved her life.”

Several of Wolfe’s family members addressed the court at today’s sentencing, speaking on behalf of their sister and sharing memories of who Esther was and the profound void her death has left behind. Today marks a day of long-awaited closure for a family who has spent close to a year seeking justice for Esther while navigating the deep pain of her absence.

“We will carry Esther with us every single day for the rest of our lives,” a spokesperson for the Wolfe family said. “Today does not end our grief, but it does bring accountability.”

The shooter, Arkadius Wright, will be sentenced today.

The post Ezekiel Mayweather formally receives mandatory life sentence for murder first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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