SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Minnehaha County State's Attorney Aaron McGowan requested five additional employees to deal with the fallout from Marsy's Law but commissioners approved only three.
McGowan says there may or may not be changes from the legislature but in the meantime his office must adhere to the state's constitution.
McGowan says the situation is highlighted by the county's current homicide situation. He says there are two child victims and those cases take a lot of time with motion's hearings. He says that will demand a lot of time with the victim's families
Commission Chair Cindy Heiberger took dead aim on the voter approved amendment.
Heiberger said "most of us recognize that this law was poorly written and we do want our victims protected. But we also need to make sure we are doing the right thing as far as our taxpayers" are concerned.
McGowan says yesterday alone his office opened up 31 new felony cases and there are over 10,000 open files.
The Minnehaha County State's Attorney's Office will get two new victim witness assistants and one new legal office assistant.
The staffing needs will be revisited after the legislative session.