May 31, 2007 3:10 pm US/Central
Park Killing Suspect Makes 1st Court Appearance
Luverne, Minn. (AP) ―
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Randy Swaney had just finished serving time in South Dakota for grand theft and burglary when he was charged with the 2001 slaying. (File)
State of Minnesota
A man accused of second-degree murder in the 2001 death of a 20-year-old woman who worked at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Minn. has had his bond set at $1 million.
Randy L. Swaney, 35, made his first court appearance Wednesday.
Swaney had just finished serving time in South Dakota for grand theft and burglary when he was charged with the killing of Carrie Nelson of Sioux Falls, S.D. during a robbery.
Investigators used a watch found at the scene and a DNA analysis of Swaney to make the arrest for four counts of second-degree murder.
"You want to make sure it's at a level that protects the interest of the public," Don Klosterbuer, prosecuting attorney in Rock County, said of the bond. "You really don't want him out, so you set it at a level that would make it very difficult for him to bail out."
Klosterbuer said he's confident the authorities have their man. "I knew it was only at some point in time, whether it be two years, five years, 10 years. I always believed we would reach a point where we would find who did it," he said.
"If you didn't feel confident about it, you wouldn't charge it."
No matter how long it takes, Luverne is ready for justice to be served, Klosterbuer said.
"Any unresolved issue of this seriousness, I think kind of eats at everybody. So it's extremely gratifying to get it to this point," he said.
If Swaney somehow bonds out, he will not be allowed to leave Minnesota and he could have no contact with the Nelson family, the prosecutor said.
Swaney's next court appearance is scheduled for June 11.
The May 2001 killing baffled investigators for years. But in the last few months, using DNA evidence and a wristwatch, investigators linked Swaney to Nelson and the murder.
The day before Swaney was set to be released from the South Dakota State Penitentiary, where he had served time for other crimes, Minnesota authorities announced their charges.
On Wednesday, Swaney had no lawyer and did not enter a plea. The charges against him were read and the judge made sure he understood his rights.
Swaney has requested a lawyer.
Nelson, a Luverne High School graduate, was starting her second year as a seasonal worker at the park when she was killed. Her death was believed to be the first time a state park employee had been killed on duty in the history of the park system.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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