Rushmore State News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has introduced a bill named "Kamisha’s Law" aimed at removing the statute of limitations for certain murder charges on federal and tribal lands. The legislation is inspired by the case of Kamisha, a toddler who was murdered in Sisseton, South Dakota, in 1992. Her death went unsolved for over 30 years until new evidence came to light.

Rounds stated, “Prosecution for murder should not have an expiration date. In the case of Jay Adams Jr., new evidence was not brought forward until over three decades after Kamisha was murdered. While he was prosecuted under a plea deal, this legislation rights a wrong by eliminating the statute of limitations for second degree murder on federal lands. I appreciate Kamisha’s mother Christine and her husband Roger for working with us on this legislation, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to honor Kamisha’s memory and get it across the finish line.”

Kamisha’s mother Christine and her husband Roger Irwin expressed gratitude to those involved in advancing the law: “We sincerely appreciate Senator Mike Rounds, and his staff, for working diligently to affect change. We would also like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of FBI Special Agent Daniel Orr and Assistant US Attorney Troy Morley. They are now truly a part of our extended family. Without their recommendations, guidance, and friendship, we would not be celebrating such a monumental change in federal law. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice that Kamisha made to get us to where we are today. We believe Kamisha’s Law will positively impact unresolved cases of other families waiting for justice. It is also our hope that Kamisha’s Law will assist law enforcement and prosecutors with the time needed to properly investigate and prosecute similar crimes. Kamisha’s Law is an important step forward and our hope is for it to be a catalyst for positive change in other federal laws and regulations that are antiquated, insufficient, and/or deficient.”

The proposed legislation specifically seeks to remove time limits on prosecuting non-capital homicide offenses—including second-degree murder—on federal or tribal land. This measure also covers murders involving federal officials.

Previously, Congress removed statutes of limitations for first-degree murder as well as child sexual abuse and abduction offenses in 2003 and 2006 respectively. Improvements in forensic technology have made it more feasible to solve serious crimes long after they occur.

In 1992 in Roberts County, South Dakota, 23-month-old Kamisha was found dead at home; her case remained unresolved until witness testimony surfaced in 2023 leading to prosecution against Jay Adams Jr.

The U.S. Attorney's Office sought charges under the Major Crimes Act—which grants federal jurisdiction over violent felonies committed within Indian Country—but could not proceed due to expired time limits related to second-degree murder charges on federal lands.

Adams ultimately waived his right regarding these time constraints as part of his plea agreement; he pleaded guilty instead to voluntary manslaughter and received a sentence of ten years in prison followed by supervised release.