Grand Island, Nebraska – A South Dakota man has been sentenced to at least 64 years in prison for the murder of a Lincoln man at Fonner Park in Grand Island, nearly a year and a half after the tragic incident occurred. The judge handed down a sentence of 88 to 104 years for second-degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, with four related charges being dropped as part of a plea deal.
The convicted 21-year-old, Logan Hunts Horse of Wounded Knee, SD, admitted to shooting 62-year-old Todd Scherer in the stomach with a handgun at the horse barn in Fonner Park. Hunts Horse then returned to the scene to find Scherer still alive, but proceeded to beat him to death with a baseball bat. Following the violent act, Scherer’s wallet was stolen from his pants pocket, and the cash inside was split between Hunts Horse, his girlfriend, Austin Kelly, and Layne Harris.
Kelly, 18, from Grand Island, was convicted in May of conspiracy to commit robbery and was awaiting sentencing on the same day as Hunts Horse. Harris, also 18 and from Grand Island, was convicted in May of aiding the consummation of a felony and is scheduled to be sentenced in August. The judge ruled that Hunts Horse must serve a minimum of 64 years in prison before being eligible for parole.
The brutal murder at Fonner Park shocked the community and prompted a thorough investigation by law enforcement. The sentencing of Hunts Horse brings a sense of closure to the tragic event, but the memory of Scherer’s untimely death lingers on in the minds of those who knew him. The impact of such violence is far-reaching and serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding justice in society.