Nate Eaton – East Idaho News

Homicide investigation underway after person dies from gunshot wound

Nate Eaton — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:34:16 +0000

A vehicle blocks of North Maple Grove Lane to travellers. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com

POCATELLO — The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred early Monday morning.

Deputies were called to a domestic dispute on North Maple Grove Lane, a road just off Pocatello Creek Road in the early morning hours. When they arrived, they found a person dead from a gunshot wound, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

EastIdahoNews.com visited the scene Monday morning. Investigators have closed North Maple Grove Lane to the general public while they conduct the investigation.

Additional details have not been released but investigators believe this is an isolated incident and say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

EastIdahoNews.com will update this story as we receive more information.

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UPDATED: Highways and roads closed due to extreme weather conditions

Nate Eaton — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 16:00:30 +0000

An Idaho Transportation Department camera shows drifting on Idaho Highway 34 at Blackfoot River Bridge. | ITD

IDAHO FALLS — The following highways in eastern Idaho are closed Saturday due to extreme weather:

Highways

Idaho Highway 34 from Soda Springs to Wyoming state line
Idaho Highway 36 from Idaho 34 to Ovid

The Idaho Transportation Department asks those who do not need to travel to stay home or time their trips around weather conditions. Travelers are reminded to:

Never pass a plow on the right.
Give plows room to work by maintaining at least a three-second following distance.
If multiple plows are working in tandem, do not attempt to move between them.
Stay out of the blind spots.
Drive for conditions.
Allow extra time to travel.

Blowing snow, low visibility and hazardous road conditions have been reported on many roads. A blizzard warning is in effect and several schools have canceled classes Friday due to the weather.

You can find the latest road conditions from ITD here. Live traffic cameras can be viewed here and the weather forecast is available here.

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Suspicious death in Idaho Falls now considered homicide, suspect was tied to missing woman

Nate Eaton — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 15:18:27 +0000

Megan Stedman, right, was last seen with Chris Foiles on Dec. 15. Foiles was arrested for first-degree murder on Jan. 12. Police have not released information on whether Stedman is the victim. | Idaho Falls Police Department/Missing Person Poster

IDAHO FALLS — A suspicious death in Idaho Falls is now being investigated as a homicide and a Washington man has been arrested for first-degree murder.

Chris Foiles, a 42-year-old from Spokane, was booked into the Bonneville County Jail Friday night after police were called to the area of Wardell Street Friday afternoon. A person contacted police, stating a motorhome parked on Wardell may match one being sought by law enforcement in Bozeman, Montana.

“Idaho Falls Police Officers made contact with Chris Foiles, who was detained at that time. Inside the motorhome, investigators found evidence to support arresting Foiles with Murder in the First Degree,” an Idaho Falls Police news release says.

Idaho Falls Police were called to Wardell Street Friday afternoon for a case now being considered a homicide. | Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com

A missing persons poster distributed in December says 34-year-old Megan Stedman was last seen with Foiles on Dec. 15 in Bozeman. They were driving a 1973 tan RV with Washington plates 187 WJY. Police have not said if Stedman is the victim in this case. Still, Foiles is wanted for questioning in connection to Stedman’s disappearance. The RV the couple was in matches photos released by Idaho Falls Police. It’s unknown what happened to the dog featured on the poster.

The motorhome is damaged on the rear driver’s side, and a red stripe down the side has been painted blue at some point over the past month, according to police.

Investigators are asking the public for help gathering information about Foiles’s movements between Dec. 15 and Jan. 12. Anyone who saw Foiles or the motorhome pictured over the past month is asked to email Det. Reed at Creed@idahofalls.gov or call the non-emergency dispatch line at (208) 529-1200. Reference case number 2024-1289.

Photo: Idaho Falls Police

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Person of interest in homicide case found dead in field

Nate Eaton — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 01:41:32 +0000

EastIdahoNews.com file photo

BONNEVILLE COUNTY — A man considered to be a person of interest in a homicide case was found dead in a Bonneville County field this week.

Emergency personnel were called to a residence on the 3000 East Block along Swan Valley Highway on Wednesday afternoon for a report of a man having a medical episode.

When they arrived, they discovered Kelly Hincks, 62, in a field near the residence. EMTs began lifesaving measures but Hincks was declared dead at the scene, according to a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

“Deputies are currently investigating the circumstances with the assistance of the Bonneville County Coroner,” the release says. “Mr. Hincks is a person of interest in the Morey Pelton homicide case in Bonneville County that took place in May of 2022. The investigation is ongoing at this time and no further information is available.”

It’s unclear how Hincks is related to the Pelton case.

Pelton’s body was found at the Lane Clark Rest Area on U.S. Highway 26 between Ririe and Swan Valley on May 13, 2022.

Randy Michael Larkin was arrested in July 2022 and indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder in relation to the death. He was scheduled to go to trial in July 2023 but it has been delayed and a new trial is set to begin in November.

Morey Pelton | Courtesy photo

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John Prior, Chad Daybell’s attorney, asks to withdraw from the murder case

Nate Eaton — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 00:08:09 +0000

John Prior | EastIdahoNews.com file photo

ST. ANTHONY — Boise attorney John Prior has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel in Chad Daybell’s murder case because he says he isn’t qualified to argue a death penalty case and his client can’t pay him.

Prior has been Daybell’s defense attorney since May 2021 after a grand jury indicted Daybell and his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, on murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges for the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan — two of Lori’s kids — and Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Chad is also charged with two counts of insurance fraud in relation to Tammy Daybell’s life insurance policies.

“Mr. Daybell does not have the ability to pay for counsel‘s continued services and Mr. Daybell seeks the appointment of two capital qualified attorneys to represent him in this matter,” Prior wrote in a motion filed Thursday afternoon. “This motion is made with Mr. Daybell’s full consent. Mr. Daybell has requested from me that he be given two capital qualified attorneys for his trial.”

Prior noted the complexity of the case would require him to work “around the clock, more than full-time for more than four months without compensation and without the assistance of any other counsel.”

Chad Daybell confers with defense attorney John Prior during Daybell’s preliminary hearing in Fremont County on Monday, August 3, 2020. | John Roark, Pool photo

“I have made a diligent effort to find a lawyer to assist in this matter for a significant amount of time. The attorney who I located and agreed to try to get qualified has not yet been approved by the Public Defense Commission. The time for him to be of any assistance to me in preparing for this trial is long gone,” Prior wrote.

Prosecutors filed their intent to pursue the death penalty in Daybell’s case in August 2021. Prior has solely represented his client since being hired over three years ago.

Jury selection for Daybell’s trial is scheduled to begin less than three months from now on April 1 in Ada County. If District Judge Steven Boyce grants Prior’s request to withdraw from the case, new attorneys would be appointed and there could be significant delays in the trial start date.

“After speaking with Mr. Daybell, I have confirmed that he is unable to pay any additional funds, and he believes it would be a disservice for me to continue to represent him in a capital case and trial without compensation,” Prior wrote.

Kay and Larry Woodcock, JJ Vallow’s grandparents, tell EastIdahoNews.com “nothing this journey surprises us anymore.”

“It is what it is and Chad’s trial will be when it happens,” Kay Woodcock says. “It’s in the Lord’s hands. Who are we to question Him.”

Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole last summer. She is currently in Arizona on charges of conspiracy to commit murder of Charles Vallow, her fourth husband, and Brandon Boudreaux, her former nephew-in-law. Once court proceedings are done in Arizona, she will return to Idaho to serve her life sentence.

A hearing on Prior’s motion to withdraw is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.

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Here are the government offices, libraries and other agencies closed Friday due to weather

Nate Eaton — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:30:30 +0000

Stock image

The following government offices, libraries and other agencies are closed Friday due to extreme weather conditions.

Government offices

City of Pocatello
City of Chubbuck
City of Roberts
Teton County, Idaho
Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Government Offices

Library districts

Madison Library District
Rigby City Library

Other agencies

Community Youth in Action/LIV Teen Center
Shelley Senior Center

A blizzard warning remains in effect for the majority of eastern Idaho Friday. You can find a list of school closures here and road closures here.

Live traffic cameras can be viewed here and you can find the latest weather forecast here.

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A Feel Good Friday surprise for 4 men who helped a young mom trapped in a car on the edge of an embankment

Nate Eaton — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:00:18 +0000

EastIdahoNews.com and Ashley in Idaho Falls and Pocatello are partnering to honor people in our community for Feel Good Friday. Every week, we surprise someone deserving of special recognition.

We recently received an email from a young mother about a scary ordeal she experienced. She said:

I was driving home with my toddler and baby when I slid and was on the edge of an embankment. I was worried I would roll my car if I let off the pedal or moved the wheel so I just kept still. My mom was behind me and was able to get my baby out of the car when a guy pulled up and asked how he could help. He grabbed some straps and he and some other co-workers came and helped pull me out. One of the guys gave me his jacket to keep warm and continued to help get my car out in a short sleeve shirt. It was a Friday after 4:30 p.m. and they were headed home from work but took the time to help me. They were employees of Knife River and were so kind and generous. I was so worried about my babies and I’m thankful they were willing to help me quickly and with so much kindness!

We were able to track down the guys – Kyle Gubler, Johnathan Barron, Andy Vegas and Sean Adams – and surprised them for Feel Good Friday. Watch the video in the player above!

The post A Feel Good Friday surprise for 4 men who helped a young mom trapped in a car on the edge of an embankment appeared first on East Idaho News.

Christopher Tapp’s death being investigated as homicide

Nate Eaton — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:05:28 +0000

Photo: Christopher Tapp | EastIdahoNews.com file photo. Video: Reporter Nate Eaton explains new developments in the investigation into Tapp’s death.

LAS VEGAS — Christopher Tapp’s death is now being investigated as a homicide by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The 47-year-old Idaho Falls man, who served 20 years in prison for crimes he did not commit, died Nov. 5 at a Nevada hospital.

Medical personnel were called to a hotel on the 3000 Block of South Las Vegas Boulevard on Oct. 29, where Tapp reportedly suffered head injuries in an accident.

Nearly a month later, on Nov. 22, the Las Vegas Metro Homicide Section began investigating Tapp’s “suspicious” death, according to a news release from the department.

“Through the course of the suspicious death investigation, LVMPD Homicide Detectives have learned Tapp was in an altercation inside a room at a resort before being located and transported to the hospital,” the release says.

Tapp’s death has been ruled a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, the Clark County Coroner’s Office said.

Police have not released any information about possible suspects or what information they received to begin the homicide investigation.

Tapp was wrongfully convicted in 1997 for the rape and murder of 18-year-old Angie Dodge in Idaho Falls. His DNA did not match the DNA at the crime scene, and he tried multiple times to appeal the conviction. Tapp was released from prison in 2017 and exonerated in 2019, when investigators arrested 54-year-old Brian Dripps. Dripps, who said he acted alone, pleaded guilty and is serving a 20-year-to-life prison sentence.

Tapp was awarded $11.7 million in 2022 after suing the city of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Police Department for the wrongful conviction. He and his mother, Vera Tapp, received an apology from Mayor Rebecca Casper and a promise that the city would do better moving forward.

Anyone with information about Tapp’s death is asked to contact Las Vegas Metro Police at (702) 828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.

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These highways remain closed Wednesday morning due to severe weather

Nate Eaton — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 13:45:42 +0000

Photo: Idaho Transportation Department

IDAHO FALLS — The following highways in eastern Idaho are closed Wednesday morning due to extreme weather:

US Highway 32 from Ashton to Tetonia
Idaho Highway 47 from Ashton to Warm River

Blowing snow and hazardous road conditions have been reported on many roads. Several schools have canceled classes Wednesday due to the weather.

You can find the latest road conditions from ITD here. Live traffic cameras can be viewed here and the weather forecast is available here.

The post These highways remain closed Wednesday morning due to severe weather appeared first on East Idaho News.

School closures announced for Wednesday, Jan. 10

Nate Eaton — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:45:24 +0000

The following schools are canceled Wednesday due to extreme weather and poor road conditions.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Fremont County School District 215 (for the afternoon — Parker and Teton Elementary buses load at 1:30, Henry’s Fork Elementary and South Fremont Junior High release at 1:45, South Fremont High School will release at 2)
Madison School District 321 (for the afternoon — high school releasing at 12:15, junior high and middle schools at 12:45, and elementary schools at 1:45)
Grace School District 148 (released at 12:15 p.m.)
Bonneville Joint School District 93
Blackfoot School District 55
Snake River School District 52
Aberdeen School District 58
Firth School District 59
Shelley School District 60
North Gem School District 149
Soda Springs School District 150
Ririe School District 252
Teton School District 401
Marsh Valley School District 21

CHARTER AND OTHER SCHOOLS

Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy in Fort Hall
Blackfoot Charter in Blackfoot
Bingham Academy in Blackfoot
Idaho Science and Technology Charter School in Blackfoot
Holy Rosary Catholic School in Idaho Falls
Taylor’s Crossing Public Charter School in Idaho Falls
White Pine Charter School in Idaho Falls
Monticello Montessori Charter School in Ammon
Lighthouse Montessori School in Idaho Falls
Watersprings School in Idaho Falls
Alturas International in Idaho Falls
Alturas Preparatory Academy in Idaho Falls
North Fremont Junior High/High School in Ashton
Ashton Elementary School
Trinity Classical Christian School in American Falls
Snake River Montessori School in Idaho Falls
Hope Lutheran School in Idaho Falls
American Heritage Charter School in Idaho Falls
Acton Academy Idaho Falls

EastIdahoNews.com will update this list if other schools announce delays or cancelations.

You can get the latest weather forecast here and live weather cameras here.

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