BLAST FROM THE PAST: Reid receives 30-year sentence/Final shooting suspects sentenced

Editor’s note: BLAST FROM THE PAST is a weekly article where we turn back the clock and see what was on the front page of our local newspapers years ago.

This article ran on the front page of the Wednesday, September 25-26, editions of the Shoshone News-Press. If you remember this story, or other BLAST FROM THE PAST articles, let us know by writing us or commenting online.

By SARAH ROSE FREDLUND Staff writer

WALLACE — Corey Skii Reid, 21, was sentenced Thursday afternoon to a concurrent 30 years fixed in prison and a lifetime indeterminate for aiding and abetting in the Aug. 4, 2008, murders of Neil Howard and Cynthia Bewick near the summit of Dobson Pass. That same day, the final two individuals facing charges, Hiram Wilson, 18, and Braecyn Wood, 20, were sentenced for their involvement in the aforementioned incident. Wilson was sentenced to a concurrent two years fixed in prison and three years indeterminate for two counts of accessory to first degree murder. Wood was sentenced to 365 days in jail — 245 of which are suspended — and one year probation for two counts of obstructing an officer. Check the Saturday edition of the News-Press for an in-depth report on the courtroom proceedings.

Final shooting suspects sentenced

By SARAH ROSE FREDLUND Staff writer

Saturday, September 26, 2009

WALLACE — The murder case of 20-year-old Neil Howard and 18-year-old Cynthia Bewick finally came to a close — 416 days after the fatal shootings — Thursday evening when Judge Fred Gibler imposed punishments on the final three men involved for their respective offenses. Proceedings began with the sentencing of Corey Skii Reid, 21, who was convicted for two counts of aiding and abetting then 20-year-old Jon Allen Kienholz in killing Howard and Bewick on Aug. 4, 2008. While Gibler imposed a concurrent 30 years fixed in prison and lifetime indeterminate on Reid — the same sentence confessed shooter Kienholz received — Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Val Siegel recommended 40 years fixed, as a substantial portion to deter others from behaving similarly. “This man is more culpable than Kienholz,” he explained of Reid’s role in the murders. “He was the one who solicited Kienholz to pull the trigger on [Howard and Bewick]. This man shows no remorse for what he has done.” Siegel referenced Reid’s joint substance abuse and psychoanalysis, which described him as exhibiting antisocial behavior patterns, having a lack of regard for others and authority as well as blaming others for problems he himself has created. These traits are concerning, Siegel continued, when compared with statements about Reid’s demeanor from his former cellmate Ronald Rollins. Rollins requested an interview with Idaho State Police Detective Terry Morgan, Morgan testified Thursday afternoon, where Rollins described how Reid would make jokes, grin and chuckle about the murders. According to the transcripts read during proceedings, Rollins said Reid told him the murders were planned and Reid only turned himself in because he ran out of money. Reid is a convicted man, Siegel stated, who is bragging and laughing. Rehabilitation is certainly not the primary concern, he added, as Reid has repeatedly engaged in antisocial behaviors. “That is ingrained and not likely to change,” Siegel commented of Reid’s attitude. Public Defender Erik Smith argued that Reid has a history of cooperating with law enforcement, such as requests made during his previous probation for misdemeanor offenses, and has no other violent offenses in the past. Reid has had a serious substance abuse problem since 17 years old, Smith continued, admitting to having daily drug cravings even after spending a year in jail. Because of these issues, he added, Reid requires a high level of treatment and a sentencing of 10-20 years. “He’s not predictable, he has a lot of potential for good or bad,” Smith explained of Reid. “Clearly he didn’t do enough to stop the murders. But he can be a productive member of society.” Given the opportunity to make a personal statement, Reid said Howard and Bewick were his friends and although he didn’t do enough to stop the shootings, he wanted to tell the families he was sorry. “Two lives were taken and a boy will not know his parents,” Bewick’s aunt Kim Carpenter expressed to the court. “This has impacted many people for the rest of their lives.” According to Reid’s probation officer, Reid did nothing to comply with the misdemeanor probation conditions, Gibler stated, which denounced Smith’s earlier statement. While substance abuse issues may be the reasons behind Reid’s behavior, he continued, it is no excuse or justification for them. There is nothing to gauge the credibility of Morgan’s interview with Rollins, Gibler added, and it will be taken with a grain of salt. However, he continued, those statements were made prior to the trial and contained details of the case that would not have been known unless Reid had told Rollins. Reid made the suggestion, planned and was an active participant in the murders, Gibler said, making him as culpable From the front as Kienholz. “I question the sincerity of [Reid’s] statements made today,” Gibler stated. “ He must be held accountable for participating in the crimes.” The sentencing of Hiram Wilson, 18, — who pleaded guilty to two counts of accessory to first degree murder afterthe-fact — immediately followed, where Gibler imposed a concurrent two years fixed in prison and three years indeterminate. “Deterrence is a huge factor,” he explained of Wilson’s punishment. “He has learned his lesson, but what message do we send?” Gibler added that he was surprised at the state’s recommendation — five year maximum sentence, for each count, to be run consecutively — that is not realistic or worthy of consideration in this case. “Sometimes it’s not what you say but the way you say it. His lips say he’s sorry but his demeanor says something else,” Siegel argued. “This is about as serious an accessory case as I could imagine. One who does what Wilson does pays a substantial price.” Attorney Scot Nass contended Wilson surely showed emotion and empathy, that his truthful testimony in Reid’s trial was remorseful to the point of how comfortable Wilson is in showing emotions. Wilson’s psychological evaluations, he continued, show signs of suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — indicating actions after the shootings were a function of fear and disassociation as opposed to being a willing participant in the crimes. “[Wilson] has taken accountability and responsibility,” Nass said. “He has less likelihood of further crimes.”