Pine Ridge man expected to plead guilty in a fatal ax attack

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – A Pine Ridge man is expected to plead guilty to charges in a fatal ax attack.

Court documents related to the plea deal indicate Emery Arapahoe plans to plead guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Raymond Waters Jr. and to arson for setting a mobile home where Waters was sleeping on fire in 2017.

Prosecutors plan to drop charges of first-degree burglary and larceny and request dismissal of assault charges in two other cases against Arapahoe.

The 18-year-old man was initially charged in juvenile court but has since had his case moved to adult court. Arapahoe faces up to life in prison for the murder and arson charges.

AP-WF-05-15-19 1232GMT