Bond has been eased for a Rapid City man charged with 1st-degree manslaughter for killing his sister during an argument in September while they were delivering food for an online app.
Bond for 28-year-old Nicklaus Houchin in the death of 31-year old Danielle Houchin
had been set at $100,000 cash-only, but Circuit Judge Matt Brown has changed it to cash or surety, meaning he could be released by paying $10,000 cash.
Houchin has had 4 DUI convictions, so if he’s released on bond he’ll have to wear an ankle monitor 24/7.
His parents and surviving siblings were in court for the bond reduction and asked Judge Brown for leniency – calling Houchin and Danielle “inseparable” before her death.
Court records show witnesses told investigators that the Houchins were in a car drinking with several other people when they stopped at a Rapid City restaurant to pick up an order.
The brother and sister began arguing, then got physical with Nicholaus strangling Danielle until she became unconscious and unresponsive. Those picking up the food returned to the car and the group left with Danielle still unresponsive.
A short time later, the occupants of the car called police to report that she was unresponsive. Emergency responders performed live-saving measures, but she died enroute to the hospital.