By Trend News Line 2024-04-03 21:04:43.
**Michigan Man Faces Second-Degree Murder Charge in South Dakota**
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**First Court Appearance**
In a shocking turn of events, a Michigan man, Anthony Melvin Harris, Sr., 60, of Detroit, made his first court appearance on Tuesday, April 2, in Mitchell, South Dakota. Harris is facing a second-degree murder charge for allegedly running over a woman multiple times and disposing of her body at a gas station in Mitchell.
**Formal Charges Read**
During the court hearing, Judge Donna Bucher formally read the charges against Harris. The bond was set at $250,000, and Harris is currently being held in custody at the Davison County jail as the case progresses.
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**Details of the Crime**
According to an arrest affidavit, Harris, who works as a truck driver, is accused of running the woman over multiple times and dismembering her body. The victim, identified as Melody Faye Gooch, 57, of Detroit, was found under pallets at the I-90 Travel Center on March 11.
**Gruesome Discovery**
Officers investigating the crime scene discovered the victim’s head inside a garbage sack. The scene indicated that the victim had been struck by a vehicle in the parking lot, with blood spatter consistent with a person being hit by a vehicle and dragged away.
**Surveillance Footage**
Surveillance video showed a truck making suspicious movements in the lot for about 30 to 35 minutes before leaving the area at 6:06 p.m. The truck was seen heading westbound on Interstate 90. Gooch’s family members identified Harris as the last person she was with, and he claimed she went into a store for food and never returned.
**Investigation**
DCI agents obtained Harris’ daily logbook records from his trucking company, Transfinity Logistics, Inc. The records placed him 22 miles east/northeast of Mitchell at around 6:50 p.m. on March 10, near the Travel Center parking lot where the alleged crimes took place.
**Legal Proceedings**
Harris was charged in Davison County with second-degree murder and improper disposal of a body. Second-degree murder is a Class B felony, carrying a mandatory life sentence upon conviction. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley visited Mitchell to oversee the case after Harris was apprehended in Washington State.
**Next Court Appearance**
Harris is scheduled to appear in court again on April 15 as the investigation into this horrific incident continues. The collaboration between various law enforcement agencies, including the DCI and Mitchell police Department, has been crucial in piecing together the events leading to Gooch’s tragic death.
**About the Author**
Sam Fosness, a dedicated journalist at the Mitchell Republic, has been covering this case since its inception. A native of Mitchell, S.D., Fosness brings a personal touch to his reporting, having graduated from Mitchell High School and the University of South Dakota with a degree in journalism. His commitment to thorough and accurate reporting is evident in his coverage of this disturbing case..
– Accused of South Dakota truck stop murder
– Dismembered body court appearance.
