State v. Blem

SABERS, Justice.

[¶ 1.] Jerome Anthony Blem was convicted of first degree manslaughter for the death of David Drafahl at Blem’s house in Frederick, South Dakota. He appeals. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

FACTS

[¶ 2.] In March or April of 1998, Blem, age 40, hired Doug Krueger to clean a building. Blem testified that after two weeks, he paid Krueger $200, told him to leave and finished the job himself. Thereafter, Krueger admitted that he stopped by Blem’s home, uninvited, approximately ten times to beg or “borrow” from Blem. Krueger also admitted to drinking whenever he had money. In…