South Dakota biker gang trial moved, delayed

The trial of two Hells Angels charged in a 2006 shootout that injured six rival Outlaws will move across the state to Sioux Falls and start a few weeks later to accommodate a defense witness, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Prosecutors accused Chad Wilson, 32, of Lynnwood, Wash., and John Midmore, 34, of Valparaiso, Ind., of shooting at Outlaws bikers on Aug. 8, 2006, at Legion Lake Resort in Custer State Park. The Outlaws gathered there for the Sturgis motorcycle rally 70 miles away.

Wilson is a Canadian citizen and Midmore has dual citizenship in Canada and Australia.

Defense lawyers asked to move the trial because they believe the men can't get a fair trial in Custer County due to news coverage in the Black Hills.

Prosecutors didn't oppose the request because of safety and logistic concerns over the smaller Custer courthouse. The Minnehaha County Courthouse is larger, has tighter security and is in a bigger city so it will be easier to fly in and house witnesses.

At a hearing Tuesday in Rapid City, Judge Gene Paul Kean granted the defense's request to move the trial and another to delay it a few weeks so a defense expert witness could be available, according to the Custer County clerk of court.

The trial is now scheduled to start Nov. 3 and take several weeks.

Wilson and Midmore pleaded not guilty to seven counts each: one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of commission of a felony while armed.

Wilson is a member of the Dago Chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club in San Diego and Midmore is a prospect of the Haney Chapter of the Hells Angels in British Columbia, Canada, according to court documents.

The five Outlaws who were shot and wounded are: Thomas Hass, Al Mathews, Danny Neace, Claudia Wables and Susan Evans-Martin. Another woman, Crystal Schuster, suffered injuries unrelated to a gunshot. Their addresses were not included in court documents.

Wilson and Midmore are being held without bond at the county jail in Rapid City but will be transported to Sioux Falls. Their trial has been delayed several times, including for an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

They have also filed a federal complaint that accuses federal agencies and officials of withholding information that could help their claim they acted in self-defense because rival Outlaws members targeted them.