Crime and Courts

Men accused of kidnapping, killing man in Billings plead not guilty

Posted: Feb 15, 2013 3:48 PM by Paul Humphrey - MTN News

BILLINGS - Two men accused of kidnapping and killing another man in January entered their pleas Friday morning in Yellowstone County District Court.

Simon Jacobson, 28, and James Walker, 32, appeared before Judge Mary Jane Knisely who entered not guilty pleas on their behalf to the charges of deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping and kidnapping.

Prosecutors allege that on Jan. 17, 2013, Jacobson and Walker posed as law enforcement officers in order to kidnap Dejuan Laster, 29, from his room at the Extended Stay Hotel and later murdered him northeast of Billings.

After the homicide, Jacobson fled Montana to Colorado where he was arrested by the U.S. Marshal's Task Force.
Court documents state that Jacobson admitted to Billings police detectives that he shot and killed Laster.

In addition to the homicide and kidnapping felonies, Jacobson was also charged with 11 counts of robbery. Prosecutors claim that he robbed 10 casinos in Billings and one in Livingston, dating back to April 6, 2012.

Knisely continued Jacobson's bond at $1 million and ordered him to have no contact with Walker, whose Justice Court bond of $500,000 was also continued.

Both men are represented by the State Public Defenders Office.

Trial dates have not yet been set.