Highmore Man Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter Charges

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Highmore Man Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter Charges

Blake Hemminger is charged with manslaughter after the death of Zach Glaesman.

By KSFY News

Story Created: Oct 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 22, 2008 at 3:59 PM CDT

A Highmore man was arraigned yesterday on charges of Aggravated Assault and Second Degree Manslaughter. 

19-year-old Blake Hemminger appeared in court in Faulkton yesterday.  Faulk County States Attorney Tim Bormann says Hemminger entered a plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial.   Hemminger was charged by a Grand Jury after Zach Glaesman of Gettysburg died earlier this year.  Glaesman was hurt in an altercation that happened at a dance in Orient.

The Division of Criminal Investigation conducted a multi-county investigation and a grand jury returned an indictment charging Hemminger.   He requested a court appointed attorney and the DCI will be prosecuting the case. 

The jury trial is scheduled to start in March.

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Wednesday, Jan 7 at 3:21 PM zach's friend wrote ...

i was zach best friend when i lived in gettysburg. me and him were impossible to separate. i find it... hard to kno hes gone forever. i think of him every day. blake, highmore... nevermind. something has to be done.

Sunday, Oct 26 at 1:03 AM net angel wrote ...

To Zach: Time and distance have no meaning in matters of the heart. We're close even though we're apart. Thinking of you and holding you close to our hearts. Always a silent hurt, many a silent tear, but always a beautiful memory of one we loved so dear. God gave us strength to bear it and courage to help us get thru each day, but what it meant to lose you...no one will ever know. Rest in the arms of angels. We pray for your justice. God bless you Steve and Nadine, you are in my prayers.

Saturday, Oct 25 at 11:14 AM Anonymous wrote ...

OK lets talk about what Zach DIED from. He died from infection caused by the crack in his skull that Blake caused. AND HE DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION WHEN SYMPTOMS APPEARED!!!

Friday, Oct 24 at 3:56 PM observer wrote ...

I don't know the whole story and I don't think anyone ever will, but it sure seems like Highmore has had a lot of murders (whatever you want to call it) lately. Huber and now this - I wonder why.....

Friday, Oct 24 at 2:33 PM south dakota native and a mother wrote ...

I know both families and they are both suffering, one the death of a child and the other may have to spend time in jail. Both boys did wrong one by not getting medical treatment and the other for drinking and letting his anger get the best of him. If you are going to a party and are going to let the alcohol get the best of you then do the time for the crime. We all know he hit him which is an assault that can not be overlooked but not getting the treatment needed at the time is not Blakes fault.

Friday, Oct 24 at 1:47 PM ZQ wrote ...

He murdered a child. Case closed. Have fun in the pen with the Brotherhood.

Friday, Oct 24 at 1:24 PM Miller friend wrote ...

Blake you hang in there. Everyone needs to hear the story that was behind the whole situation.What you did was an accident you didnt plot to kill this boy! Mb they need to talk about what he really DIED from!

Friday, Oct 24 at 12:48 PM Dear Ben wrote ...

My name is Lauren, Go a head pull for Blake, be proud of him. He is a killer.

Friday, Oct 24 at 12:03 PM Mother of 2 wrote ...

To anonymous, For your information it has been confirmed by more than 1 Dr. that Zach's health problem was DIRECTLY related to the BLOW that Blake threw at him. You should also know that BLAKE didn't just hit Zach he HIT HIM HARD ENOUGH TO FRACTURE HIS SKULL. REALLY NICE GUY, I CASE. PERSONALLY I HOPE HE ROTS IN HELL. So if you don't know what you're talking about SHUT UP. I'm sure Zach's family & friends are going through hell while Blake is a free man.

Friday, Oct 24 at 10:00 AM Ben wrote ...

If you are not man enough to use your own name on here maybe you should not write anything. Good luck Blake we are all pulling for you.

Friday, Oct 24 at 9:13 AM ex-Highmore resident wrote ...

Another jerk from Highmore committing murder. What is it with Highmore? Aesoph, Huber and now this bully. Just a bunch of rednecks. I'm so glad I don't live there anymore.

Friday, Oct 24 at 7:57 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Oh, my mistake, he didn't mean to go out and get drunk and stupid so he shouldn't be held accountable?

Thursday, Oct 23 at 9:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Okay, for one Huber was intentional, this was not. Nothing to compare here. Also, I don't think anyone is proud of what happened, this was a horribly tragic accident, Blake did not go out that night with the intent of this happening. Because someone supports another doesn't mean that they are proud of what happened. Try not to make something out of nothing.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 8:55 PM ZQ wrote ...

You're going down Blake and you deserve it.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 7:06 PM what? to mother of 2 wrote ...

what do you mean "free of this burden?" the man killed another man! you should be praying for the victim's family. even if the killing was accidental it looks like Mr Hemminger is a big man! He's probably a a bully.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 12:51 PM Mother of 2 wrote ...

To anonymous, It has been confirmed by more that one Dr. that Zach's health problem was DIRECTLY related to the PUNCH that BLAKE threw. Blake didn't just hit Zach he hit him hard enough to FRACTURE ZACH'S SKULL causing the health problem. So unless you know what you're talking about SHUT UP. I hope that Blake is living the same hell that I'm sure Zach's family is living.At least he is still walking around a free person for now. More than Zach. I hope BLAKE in rots in hell.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 10:08 AM Anonymous wrote ...

yup! You keep your chin up Blake. Sounds like there's alot of people proud of what you did. You enjoy your free time. Cuz theres alot of us hoping you go down!!!

Thursday, Oct 23 at 8:41 AM Ed wrote ...

Glad all you Highmore people pray for your murderers.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 8:04 AM Mrs. C wrote ...

Why is Huber locked up and Blake gets to run around free another five months while they drag this out?

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 9:29 PM your kidding wrote ...

this is taking way to long lets get on with this what other evidence can you possibly be getting now?

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 7:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...

i dont understand how he pleaded not guilty after already confessing to the cops that he hit zach... Have fun with your friends blake.. we cant do that anymore because you took our friend away from us!!!! I CANT WAIT TILL MARCH!

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 5:41 PM hyde county resident wrote ...

God bless you, Blake. We will be praying for you.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 5:33 PM Anonymous wrote ...

hey smart guy whos ken hubber?

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 5:31 PM JB wrote ...

I love it how you ppl never put my comments up! I think you should enjoy breathing the fresh air because you deserve to go to prison. Zach died as a result of a blunt BLOW CLOSED FIST PUNCH to the head that cracked his skull and he then got infection...so just give it up!

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 4:44 PM Ray wrote ...

When you pick on people younger and not in a position to defend themselves you deserve everything and anything you get. Don't drop the soap son.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 4:32 PM Mother of 2 wrote ...

To anonymous it has been confirmed by more than one doctor that the health problem was DIRECTLY related to the BLOW THAT BLAKE THREW AT ZACH so unless you know what your talking about SHUT UP.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 4:20 PM shc to mother of 2 wrote ...

what do you mean free of this burden?!? The man killed another man! How can he be free? pray for the victim's family mother of 2!

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 2:32 PM Anonymous wrote ...

You Highmore people are nuts. Maybe Ken and Blake can just both plead guilty, share a cell and save us taxpayers a pile of money. Neither would have their burdens if they were not killers.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 2:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Who the hell are you to say anything about blake or Ken?! Do you know either of them!? I'm behind Blake all the way. I still dont think that the kid should have been at the dance anyways.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 2:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Can't wait till March. Have a nice free winter.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 1:59 PM anonymous wrote ...

Shouldn't you report that Zach died of a health problem and maybe not directly from the injuries of the fight?

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 12:46 PM JB wrote ...

You ARE GUILTY you should be ASHAMED...Who Ever disagrees is entitled to their opinion but I will not be reading so any comment you have to me so be it!

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 11:15 AM mother of 2 in highmore wrote ...

Keep fighting blake. we r behind u 100%!! keep the faith and we will continue to pray for u to be free of this burden!! take care and keep your chin up buddy!!!

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 10:45 AM Anonymous wrote ...

He will be sharing a cell with Ken Hubber.

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