The former coach of the Mitchell Legion baseball team has been found not guilty of failure to report child abuse, while charges against a former team board member have been dismissed.
The court dismissed the counts for 48-year-old Jeremy Borgan, while 43-year-old Luke Norden was acquitted.
First circuit judge Donna Bucher highlighted legal ambiguity regarding Norden’s knowledge of the situation and role with the team.
The case became one of the most prominent court stories in the state since breaking last year. Charges were filed against several members of the team following an incident that occurred while the team was in Rapid City for a tournament.
What has been described as a “team hazing ritual” by defendant team members has been framed by state prosecutors as sexual assault.
Counts against the team members, up to and including second-degree rape charges, are still pending.