The lawsuit alleges media-driven persecution
Peyton Mandel, a former pitcher for the Mitchell Legion baseball team, has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Pennington County and its state’s attorney, Lara Roetzel, alleging malicious prosecution in a 2023 rape case that stemmed from a hazing incident.
The complaint contends that Roetzel orchestrated a public narrative portraying Mandel and five teammates as rapists, a campaign that intensified after the alleged victim reported a planned hazing ritual to his father in May 2023 and later disclosed the assault to coaches and association officials in June.
Hazing ritual and victim testimony
According to court filings, the victim described a night of physical assault and emotional trauma during the hazing episode, which was later detailed in a September 2024 sentencing hearing where Mandel acknowledged his presence and participation.
Mandel’s plea bargain, secured under the pressure of widespread publicity, resulted in a 2024 sentence of three years’ probation, a $1,300 fine and 500 hours of community service, but the lawsuit argues that the agreement was obtained without adequate due process.
Broader impact and media coverage
The legal filing further claims that the fallout has extended beyond the courtroom, eroding Mandel’s employment prospects, stripping him of a college scholarship and jeopardizing future career opportunities in medicine.
Media coverage of the case has been extensive, including interviews with NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo that amplified the narrative of repeated sexual abuse. The coverage was distributed by Nexstar Media, whose platforms amplified the allegations.
The lawsuit also references a separate libel action that was dismissed in 2025 and an ongoing defamation case involving Luke Norden, the Mitchell Baseball Association coach, adding layers of complexity to the legal landscape.