RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for first degree murder.
Brent Kertzman earlier pleaded guilty to the murder of Julie Fisk, 54, in February and setting fire to her home with her body still inside.
He initially pleaded not guilty, but reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in which the death penalty was taken off the table. Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel says the state was prepared to seek the death penalty, but Fisk’s family wanted to avoid the trauma of a trial.
At the sentencing, friends of Fisk spoke to the court and Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel read a letter from Fisk’s daughter which described her as a “peaceful person,” “giving person,” and “a bright light in the lives of everyone she met.”
Prosecutors say Kertzman killed Fisk after leaving him due to abuse.
