Jensen's Youth Played A Powerful Part In Murder; Presents Challenges If Parole Granted

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Photo by Cara Hetland

Paul Dean Jensen was just 14 years old when he shot and killed Michael Hare in Stanley County. For that crime, Jensen was sentenced to life without parole, the mandatory penalty under South Dakota law. But now, 20 years later, U.S. Supreme Court rulings have given Jensen the opportunity to make a case for a lesser sentence. A clinical psychologist testified Thursday, June 2, that Jensen's potential release would require training and supervision to bring Jensen's life skills to an adult level.

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Rapid City freelancer Victoria L. Wicks has been producing news for SDPB since August 2007. She Retired from this position in March 2023.