Sturgis teen sentenced to 55 years

STURGIS — Sturgis teen Michael G. Campbell, who was charged with killing a Wyoming teen last fall, has been sentenced to 55 years in prison.

The sentencing was a sad day for both families involved in the case, said Campbell’s attorney, Steven Titus.

“This was a difficult case for everyone involved,” Titus said.

Campbell confessed in May in a Meade County courtroom that he killed 16-year-old Shayna Ritthaler. He said the two fought and he shot her.

Judge Kevin Krull handed down the sentence in Fourth Circuit Court Friday. Titus said Campbell will be eligible to seek parole after 27 and a half years. He will be 44 years old then.

“It’s up to Mr. Campbell now to learn how to function and put himself in a position to be eligible for parole,” Titus said.

Campbell is currently being held in the Meade County Jail. He will turn 18 next week and when he does he will be transferred to the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.