Former South Dakota Mayor Charged with Triple-Murder

In a shocking turn of events, a former mayor of Centerville, South Dakota, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Jay Ostrem, 64, is accused of carrying out a triple-slaying on Monday night in the very community that he once oversaw. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed the charges and stated that Ostrem is being held in the Minnehaha County Jail on a cash bond of $1 million.

According to court documents, Ostrem is representing himself in this legal case. He served as the mayor of Centerville from May 2009 to November 2011, when the city council accepted his resignation. The exact reason behind Ostrem's resignation was not specified in the city documents.

However, there seems to be a history of controversy surrounding the former mayor. In July 2010, Centerville's former police chief filed a federal lawsuit against both the town and Ostrem. The lawsuit, which is still ongoing, alleges that Ostrem engaged in sexual harassment.

The lawsuit claims that Ostrem made gender-based comments that were unwelcome and degrading, including remarks about menstruation, the notion of certain tasks being "a man's job," and the perceived inability of women to achieve the same level of success as men. The former police chief asserted that no disciplinary actions or reports were taken against Ostrem until she lodged a complaint with the state's Division of Human Rights in October 2009.

The details surrounding the triple-slaying that led to Ostrem's murder charges have not been disclosed at this time. However, the community is left in shock and disbelief as they grapple with the alleged actions of a man who once held a position of power within their town.

As the legal case proceeds, more information is expected to emerge regarding the disturbing events that unfolded in Centerville on Monday night. The court will determine the truth behind the murder charges and the impact it will have on the community moving forward.