Second Man Sentenced In Beating Death

A second man has been sentenced for beating and killing a 20-year-old Sudanese immigrant in the alley of a central Sioux Falls neighborhood 18 months ago.

A judge sentenced Jerome Ewing to 35 years in prison Friday morning, less than 24 hours after the same judge sentenced co-defendant Dwight Ree to 25 years in prison.

The two men pleaded guilty to manslaughter after they beat 20-year-old Geu Ayuel with their fists, feet, and chunks of pavement in an alley in central Sioux Falls in June 2011. The two men then tried to set Ayuel's body on fire to 'cover up the evidence.'

Friday in court Ewing apologized to Ayuel's family, saying he knew his apology wouldn't bring Ayuel back but it was 'the best I can do.'
    
Ayuel's family said after court they accept the apology.

Ayuel's mother brought Geu to America and Sioux Falls from Sudan to pursue a better life.  She says she's now heartbroken that her son was killed this way.

Tonight on KELOLAND News we’ll hear more from Ayuel's mother about her son and Friday's sentence.