Baseball Bat Murder Arrest

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Baseball Bat Murder Arrest

Stephen Cournoyer III appeared in Charles MIx County Court this morning.

By Caitlin Haedicke

A murder investigation is underway in the small town of Wagner. That's about 50 miles southwest of Mitchell. 47 year-old Michael Costello was killed and 42 year-old Tamara Bruguier was injured.  According to the South Dakota Attorney General's Office, the murder happened at the Dakota View Apartment Complex Sunday morning. DCI, Wagner Police, and the Charles Mix County Sheriff's Office have been on the scene throughout the day.  On Monday, they arrested 35 year-old Stephen Cournoyer III, from Marty, South Dakota.  He's charged with Murder in the 1st Degree, and Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree.  Cournoyer made his first court appearance this morning in Lake Andes. 

Law enforcement spent most of the day Sunday and Monday investigating Wagner's first possible homicide in several years. The murder weapon appears to be a baseball bat. According to court documents, video from security cameras from inside the building show Cournoyer III,  leaving the apartment at 8:15 Sunday morning with a bat. The bat is what officials believe Cournoyer used to kill Michael Costello and severely injure Tammy Bruguier, who remains in the hospital in a chemically-induced coma.

The entire situation has frightened Wagner residents. Kendra Rolston says, "It's kind of scary, because nothing like this normally happens. It's a small town and everybody usually knows everyone." But they are glad the man allegedly responsible is behind bars. Craig Krsnak says, "I'm glad they caught him and I hope they can prosecute him and that people see that, whether it be this community or any other community that you know. If you do the crime, hopefully you'll do the time."

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Tuesday, Feb 26 at 8:17 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Small town or not these things can and do happen. Especially when alcohol and jealousy are involved. Sad, Sad, Sad. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. May justice prevail!!!

Tuesday, Feb 26 at 9:07 AM anonymous wrote ...

Too bad and very sad. Just hope the wannabe gangsters don't pick up on this tragedy.

Tuesday, Feb 26 at 10:55 AM Unknown wrote ...

wow...it was just a weekend ago my uncle mike watched over us while my parents were out of town! i would've never guessed that something like this would ever happen to one of my relatives.

Tuesday, Feb 26 at 2:21 PM concerned wrote ...

why did his body lay in that apartment building until 1:30PM on Monday, when the crime was reported just after 8AM on Sunday? Poor Chico, may he rest in peace.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 12:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I am from that area and I knew Michael aka Chico. He was a nice guy. My heart goes out to his family and friends at this time of mourning. As for stuff like this happening in Wagner, not too long ago and older man was murdered in his home by a woman. About 15 years ago in Lake Andes, only 15 miles NW of Wagner, a Native American couple ended up on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries because of an "unexplainable" death. To this day that case is still unsolved. Yep everybody knows everybody.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 11:53 AM concerned reader wrote ...

hopefully justice is served, i'm a sd resident and in the town where i live i believe people can get away with intent to do bodily harm to innocent/aggravate assualt people and not be charged. the victim is the one who looks bad and the accuser gets a slap on the back with no charge or with disorderly conduct charge, i know because it happened to me. i can hardly believe in the legal system it didnt do me justice.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 1:54 PM unknown wrote ...

This is some crazy stuff that happend. This has been the talk of the town for a while now.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 2:21 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Tammy has a young son that she cared for. Steve Coynoyer was just bragging that his father is getting an insurance settlement for his house fire. He said his dad is supposed to give him ten-thousand dollars, I think Steve should have to give that to Tammy's son. Although its not much, and its not going to bring anybody back Steve's not going to need it where hes going. Something for Steve's Dad to consider.........

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 2:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I believe Steve beat his first wife up with a hammer.....this was bound to happen. He always seemed a little mentally un-stable.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 6:35 PM anoymous wrote ...

I always heard Stevie say he was getting a settlement of over a million dollars from the Shokapee Tribe lawsuit, he should give that money to Tammy and Chico's family they deserve it more!

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 7:16 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Steve has been a violent person in the past. I know that he has threaten a few people that he would kill them. The people that he did threaten to kill are very close and dear to me and I hope that he does pay the time for the crime. No one deserves to be killed even if alcohol, drugs, or anything else like jealousy, or mental unstability, bottom line is no one should get away with murder.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 9:17 PM unknown wrote ...

This hits too close to home because Im close to his ex-wife and their children...this has caused extra stress and agony they do not need. And for those of you who think he is not violent...think again....the reason his first wife left him is because he beat her. He is a psyco that needs to be put away for good...I believe he should have happen to him what he did to those poor people...there are no excuses to be made for what he did. I just feel so bad for the families of the two people.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 11:24 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Stevie will get what's coming to him.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 11:56 PM Anonymous wrote ...

He did'nt beat anybody with a hammer!!!! My god!! May the Lord be with people who love to spread such gossip!!

Thursday, Feb 28 at 12:40 AM Anonymous wrote ...

One family has lost a wonderful brother,uncle,nephew he will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to the Costello family.The Bruguier family is in great pain over their mom,sister,auntie and grandma. This tradgedy is very painful and hard to bare.Please say prayers for both families in their time of need.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 1:33 AM Michelle S.Cloud wrote ...

I want to thank everyone for their prayers. We are all here for my aunt, its hard!!! she's strong,I just wanna say please don't believe everything you hear! Chico was a good friend of our family, he'll be missed!!!! Things should've never happened this way! words are hard to say, we'll stay together STRONG and our prayers WILL be answered! sorry to Mike's (Chico)family we feel your pain!we stick together JUSTICE will be served!!! I LOVE YOU AUNTY TAMMY FOREVER!!!!!! BRU CREW IS WITH YOU!!!!!

Thursday, Feb 28 at 1:52 AM Michelle S.Cloud wrote ...

We want to thank you all for your prayer's! This is a bad thing that happend CHICO was a good friend of our family we are sorry he's gone! WE Want to say Don't believe everything you hear... We will stay strong & stick together! our prayer's WILL be answered! our aunty is strong she will make it thru this.to Mike's Family (Chico) justice will be served! all our love to you keep your heads up!!! we LOVE you aunty FOREVER!!!! The BRU CREW is with you!!!!!!

Thursday, Feb 28 at 2:35 AM Melissa Bruguier wrote ...

To the Costello Family I personally send my deepest prayers to you all Chico was a good brother who will be greatly missed. As for my sister Tammy she's here in Sioux City Hospital fighting for her life. She will never look the same when they do surgery on her. Wopila to those of you who came by with cards,food and called to show you care. I appreciate it very much. What ever way you pray out there please pray for the Costello Family and my sister Tammy that she pulls out of this coma.Wopila

Thursday, Feb 28 at 2:56 PM Ryan Cournoyer wrote ...

My prayers go out to the families for their loss. But whatever happend to innocent until proven guilty? Everyone is entitled to their opinion but until Steve is convicted let's all say a prayer for him as well. I believe all three were victims of alcoholism which is destroying our native people.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 6:58 PM anonymous wrote ...

As far as I'm concerned Steve is proven guilty because it is caught on the security camera. And alcoholism is no excuse! There is no reason to beat someone like that. So why would anyone want to pray for Steve? Mikes family and Tammy's family are the ones who needs prayers with this difficult time. So everyone keep Mike's and Tammy's family in their prayers!

Thursday, Feb 28 at 7:24 PM anonymous wrote ...

was alcohol the only thing that Stevie was on?

Thursday, Feb 28 at 8:50 PM Anonymous wrote ...

My prayers go out to everyone involved in this tradegy, just maybe if justice would have be served, he would have been held more accountantable for his pass violent out bursts and served some time in prison or at least was required to have some ongoing counseling help and been mointored by parole officers or someone!!! Now one innocent man is dead and one women is clinging to her life!! Yes, innocent until proven guilty, but then again what about the fact of what was in the security cameras!

Friday, Feb 29 at 12:00 PM Jodee G.L wrote ...

My prayers go out to both families. I hope that Tammy makes it out I know she will she's a strong woman and I will pray for her.

Friday, Feb 29 at 12:59 PM A cousin to Stevie wrote ...

I pray for the family that lost their loved one, please give them strength to endure their tragic loss. I pray for the fam. of the women who still lies in a hosp. bed, please heal her. I pray for all families involed, the victims and the accused. Please give these families compassion and empathy for ea. other. To Stephen’s family understand how sad and outraged we would be if we were planning a funeral, regardless if you think he is guilty or innocent put yourself in that families shoes.

Friday, Feb 29 at 2:02 PM unknown wrote ...

Exactly...the security camera should be proof enough that he is the one who did this horrible thing. That pretty much shows that hes guilty. Alcoholism or drugs are not an excuse for killing someone and putting someone in a coma. Its not like people are born addicted to alcohol or drugs...its a choice they make and to me thats no excuse for actions like this one! All everyone can do is keep Mike's and Tammy's families in their prayers. Lets all hope Tammy gets thru this so Steve will be put away

Monday, Mar 3 at 9:05 PM A Friend of Tammy's wrote ...

Get well, my girl. I will be praying and thinking about you here in the bayous.

Wednesday, Mar 5 at 10:29 AM Lois DeLong wrote ...

I have known the Cournoyer family for many years. I agree with the individual who identified alcohol as a key factor in the destruction of all of our people. I send prayers to the Cournoyer family. I have always known them to be good people. Let this be a wake-up call for the entire extended family. Our lives are worth more than this! May we all walk in Creator's light and love. I invite any of the Cournoyer family to contact me, I will walk beside you whenever you need.

Thursday, Mar 6 at 10:59 AM MMKL wrote ...

My prayers go out to the families of Mike and Tammy....hope you hang in there Tammy! Justice needs to be served for the violent crime that took place! As for the comment about Steve beating his first wife with a hammer...I know that for a fact so I agree that something like this was bound to happen. Alcoholism is not an excuse for a violent crime like this...People are not born with it. They choose to drink and become alcoholics. And what about the evidence on the security camera??

Friday, Mar 7 at 11:35 AM Cournoyer Cousin wrote ...

I too feel the pain of all involved, All 3 involved were all victims, They are all in my prayers, Please pray for Stevie as well as the people who he hurt.

Friday, Mar 7 at 5:02 PM anonymous wrote ...

I do not believe all 3 were victims. How is the guilty party a victim? He is still living breathing and in good health while he left one dead and one very severely injured. And he should have to pay for what he did to those innocent individuals because they did not ask to be beaten with a baseball bat. What kind of human being would do that to someone else anyways? Wait he would because he beat his ex-wife with a hammer and acted in other violent ways towards her. Its good she is away from him!

Saturday, Mar 15 at 9:37 AM Anonymous wrote ...

tammy should of knew it was gonna happen sooner or later.. live and learn

Wednesday, Mar 19 at 9:12 PM sivanah wrote ...

tammy should of knew it was gonna happen sooner or later.. live and learn who ever said that should shut up i love you so much grandma

Friday, Mar 28 at 8:07 PM Unknown wrote ...

I'm sorry for the tragedy. It is very touching. God Bless the victims family.

Monday, Sep 22 at 8:58 AM LDM..chicos Niece wrote ...

I think that Stevie should get the death penaltie bcuz hes meantally ill and Chico didnt do anything to him to deserve wat has happened to him...

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 10:36 AM MICHELLE S. CLOUD wrote ...

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PRAYERS MY AUNTIE IS HOME NOW NOT THE SAME BUT HOME THURS. WILL BE THE DAY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO STEVIE I PRAY HE DON'T GET CONCURRENT SENTENCE OR HE'LL BE OUT AND ABOUT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING! HE SHOULD STAY THE REST OF HIS LIFE WHERE HE BELONGS!!! BEHIND BARS TO THINK OF WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER DONE PLEASE LET'S HAVE JUSTICE FOR CHICO & TAMMY I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!!

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