GREAT FALLS — A Fort Kipp woman suspected in the death of a man hit by a vehicle on the Fort Peck Reservation was arraigned on March 15th on an indictment, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Jo Anne Sayetsitty, 34, pleaded not guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter. If convicted of the most serious crime, Sayetsitty faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Sayetsitty was released pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that on Aug. 22, 2019 near Fort Kipp, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Sayetsitty, upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion, with extreme disregard for human life, recklessly and unlawfully killed the victim, identified as John Doe, by striking him and running over him with her vehicle.
The indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Cobell and Wendy A. Johnson are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement.
Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice for the District of Montana
