SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls Police Sgt. Cole German said Thursday that preserving the integrity of a murder investigation related to a park incident was so important that releasing information waited for almost 20 days after an initial assault. The release didn’t happen until roughly 16 days after the victim’s death from the Sept. 5 incident.
Why are there so many ladybugs right now?
Police announced Wednesday four suspects had been charged in the death of Thomas Mark Fernandez, 51. Fernandez was assaulted in a secluded area of Cherry Creek Park at 1800 East 18th St. on Sept. 5, German said on Thursday. Police responded to a welfare check call at 8:53 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, and found an injured Fernandez. Ferdandez died from his injuries on Sept. 9. All suspects have been in custody since Sept. 12.
“When we are doing our investigation, we have to kind of gauge that on how we are going to preserve our evidence,” German said during Thursday’s police briefing. If information is pushed out right away, those with evidence or access to that evidence can destroy it or move it, he said.
When asked how police were able to determine there was no risk to the public on Sept. 5, German said he couldn’t provide details in order to preserve the integrity of the case. German did say the incident was not a random act…