Rapid City Killing Called a Botched Drug Deal

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Authorities say a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a Rapid City motel was a drug deal gone bad.

Thirty-year-old Charles Birdshead is charged with manslaughter in the Jan. 7 death of 33-year-old Eustacio Marrufo at the South Dakota Rose Inn. Birdshead was arrested Monday and made his first court appearance Tuesday. He also is charged with commission of a felony with a firearm.

Prosecutor Mark Vargo says the shooting happened during a botched drug deal, and that the charges might change when Birdshead is indicted by a grand jury. Magistrate Judge Heidi Linngren ordered Birdshead held without bond.

Birdshead said in court that he is tired of running, realizes the matter is serious and wants to take care of it. He could face life in prison if convicted.

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