The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of Russell Ray Bertram. The former Harrisburg Chief of Police killed his fiancee in October 2009. Earlier that year he took out $920,000 worth of insurance on her life. The state Supreme Court affirms the trial court's refusal to admit polygraph evidence. And justices support the lower court's decision to allow evidence of Bertram's sexual improprieties.
To read the opinion, click on this link:
http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/28063y5is8ik.pdf
Coverage of oral arguments, focusing on polygraph information, is posted below.