Charges Dismissed Against Ersness in Homicide Case

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has reported that the charge of Deliberate Homicide against John Ersness has been dismissed without prejudice by Valley County Justice Court. The request to dismiss was made by Valley County Attorney Dylan Jensen.

Ersness had been charged with deliberate homicide following his arrest on Sept. 27, after his brother had been found dead in his home at Fort Peck following an alleged altercation between the two. Deputies had confronted Ersness while he was leaving the area of Fort Peck, and had not held him citing a lack of probable cause. After discovering the body of his brother, Corwin Ersness, an investigation was conducted and J. Ersness was arrested in McCone County.

According to Sheriff Vernon Buerkle, the investigation is still ongoing and the dismissal does not influence the possibility of future charges against Ersness, should they be required, at the conclusion of the investigation.

According to County Attorney Dylan Jensen in a statement to the Courier:

“The charge of deliberate homicide John Ersness was cited for has been dismissed based on information that has been gathered during the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Corwin Ersness. The dismissal was made without prejudice, meaning no charges are barred from being pursued at a later date. The investigation will continue and, when complete, a final determination as to any decision to charge will be made.”