Bertram Evidence Hearing Held in Winner

An evidentiary hearing in the case of Russell Bertram was held in circuit court in Winner on Thursday.

Bertram, 64, Sioux Falls, is charged with murder in the shooting death of his fiancé Leonila Stickney, 26, in October 2009, which was initially ruled as a hunting accident.

Bertram served as a police officer in Colome from November 1998 to August 1991. He then became a police officer in Parker until December 1996, which is when he became chief of police in Harrisburg until May 2004.

The hearing was called to address pieces of evidence that the state or the defense wish to be kept out of a trial which is set for February in Gregory County.

The state attempted to prove motive by relying on testimony from Bertram’s three ex-wives who were expected to testify at the trial.