Rapid City residents plead not guilty in the death of a 7-week-old baby

RAPID CITY, SD (KOTA) – The two Rapid City people accused of killing a seven-week-old baby pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning in 7th District Court.

Courtney Ann Martinez-Martin and Shamar “Tay” Bennett, both 27, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and abuse or cruelty to a minor seven years old or younger. The incident is said to have occurred around November 13, 2022, with a child born on September 26 of the same year.

If convicted on these charges, Martinez-Martin and Bennett face a minimum sentence of life in prison for second-degree murder and an additional maximum sentence of 15 years for abuse of a minor.

Martinez-Martin and Bennett’s next bond hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

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