Pennington County Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison

Pam White Butterfly convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder

Jan. 27, 2026 at 1:47pm

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A Pennington County, South Dakota woman named Pam White Butterfly has been sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder and an additional 25 years for the attempted murder of the first victim's brother. White Butterfly was convicted 11 months ago for the murder of Lenart Brown Eyes and the attempted murder of Gerard Brown Eyes, who survived being shot in the head and testified at the sentencing hearing.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime in South Dakota, particularly on Native American reservations, and the challenges of the criminal justice system in delivering justice for victims and their families.

The details

Pam White Butterfly was convicted of murdering Lenart Brown Eyes and attempting to murder his brother Gerard Brown Eyes. In the incident, Gerard Brown Eyes was shot once in the head but survived and was able to call 911. At the sentencing hearing, Gerard Brown Eyes testified that White Butterfly's actions were not in keeping with traditional Lakota values.

  • White Butterfly was convicted 11 months ago for the crimes.
  • She was sentenced on Monday, January 27, 2026.

The players

Pam White Butterfly

A Pennington County, South Dakota woman convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Lenart Brown Eyes

The victim of the first-degree murder committed by Pam White Butterfly.

Gerard Brown Eyes

The brother of Lenart Brown Eyes, who survived being shot in the head by Pam White Butterfly and testified at the sentencing hearing.

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What they’re saying

“Gerard Brown Eyes' actions were not the 'Lakota way.'”

— Gerard Brown Eyes, Victim's Brother

What’s next

The judge has not yet decided whether to allow Pam White Butterfly to appeal the life sentence.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the ongoing need for criminal justice reform and culturally-sensitive approaches to addressing violence in Native American communities in South Dakota.