Ronald Raymond Fischer Jr., the man arrested and charged with the death of Cazenovia resident Maegan Spinder in South Dakota in July 2013, has been found guilty by a South Dakota Circuit Court judge of multiple charges related to the incident, including two felony counts of vehicular homicide.
The verdict came more than four months after Fischer’s two-day trial in Lake Andes, S.D., during which he was accused of killing Spindler, 25, a 2006 graduate of Cazenovia High School, and her co-worker Dr. Robert Allan Klumb, 46, of Pierre, S.D., on July 8, 2013, after Fischer, 28, of Lake Andes, S.D., allegedly drove his minivan through a stop sign, continued into a hotel parking lot and hit and killed Spindler and Klumb who had just finished a long day’s work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Fischer was arrested and indicted on two counts of first degree manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, one count of driving or control of vehicle with alcohol in the blood or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and one count of ingesting non-alcoholic substance to become intoxicated. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Circuit Court Judge Bruce Anderson issued his decision on Feb. 4, which stated that he found Fischer guilty of two counts of vehicular homicide, a Class 3 felony, each carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and/or $30,000 fine, as well as one count of driving or control of vehicle with alcohol blood or while under the influence of alcohol or drug, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and one count of ingesting non-alcoholic substance to become intoxicated, also a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Fischer was acquitted on the two first degree manslaughter charges.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 23, at 3:00 p.m. at the Charles Mix County Courthouse.
“Ronald Fischer’s decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol was a senseless act that has caused a tremendous loss for two families,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “We are pleased with the court’s decision and our thoughts remain with the Klumb and Spindler families.”
Spindler’s parents, Gregg and Susan Spindler, of Cazenovia, issued a statement on Feb. 5 stating that while they welcomed Fischer’s conviction they and their entire family were “very disappointed that he was not convicted of the most serious charge of first degree manslaughter. We will have to read Judge Anderson’s ‘findings of fact’ to understand his reasoning in this decision.”
The Spindlers stated that they will attend Fischer’s sentencing hearing on March 23 and plan to make a statement to ask for the maximum possible sentence for Fischer.
“We are hopeful that his sentence is commensurate with the 60 years of expected life for Maegan and 40 years for Rob Klumb. These two talented scientists would have worked another combined 60 years in their careers, helping to make the world a better place for all. Fischer took that away from all of us,” the Spindlers wrote. “Now that conviction has occurred, there will be a measure of peace in our lives. While Fischer may possibly appeal his conviction, we hope he is in state prison for decades.”
The Spindlers also renewed their call for the State of South Dakota to reform its DUI laws and practices, an issue on which they have fought tirelessly since their daughter’s death.
For more information on the Spindler Family DUI Reform Proposals, visit sgsstat.com/sd_dui_reform_proposal.html.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
