MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) - A 34-year-old Mitchell man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for beating a man outside a bar in September.
Judge Sean O'Brien sentenced William Watkins on Tuesday.
Watkins earlier had pleaded guilty to felony assault in the beating of Clint Dreyer of Fargo, North Dakota, outside Thirsty's Bar in Mitchell after an altercation inside the business with another person.
Dreyer suffered severe head trauma and is recovering at a Sioux Falls hospital.
O'Brien also ordered Watkins to pay more than $650,000 in restitution to cover medical expenses.
A tearful Watkins told the court, "I'm sorry Clint," and added that he's not asking the court for forgiveness and wants to take responsibility for his actions.
Bar manager Thomas Somerville faces a charge of simple assault.
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