Harding escapes prison term

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County woman who violated probation in a Priest Lake murder case has been spared a prison term.

First District Judge John Patrick Luster adopted a joint recommendation Monday not to imprison Tyrah Brea Harding and give her credit for the month she spent in jail while the disposition of the probation violations was pending.

Harding is slated to be released from the Bonner County Jail next week.

“We want to see her move forward,” said Chief Deputy Prosecutor Phil Robinson, who argued against sending Harding six months under Idaho’s retained jurisdiction program.

Harding was arrested last month after she admitted drinking alcohol, using methamphetamine and associating with a 30-year-old man her probation officer forbid her from being in contact with.

Harding, 27, was handed suspended prison terms earlier this year after pleading guilty to accessory to second-degree murder and grand theft by possession of stolen property. She served more than two years in jail in connection with the charges.

Harding’s former husband, Keith Allen Brown, remains jailed awaiting trial on grand theft and first-degree murder charges. Brown is accused of shooting Leslie Carl Breaw to death in Coolin in January 2007 and making off with a $56,000 escrow check belonging to Breaw.

Brown insists he is innocent of both murder and grand theft.

Robinson and Harding’s defense counsel, Serra Woods, jointly recommended Harding undergo substance abuse and personal counseling, and submit to daily drug and alcohol testing.

Both attorneys emphasized that Harding had been taking significant steps in rebuilding her life before backsliding. She was employed was poised to enroll at North Idaho College.

Luster warned Harding that further transgressions would result in further incarceration.

“You need to recognize some rules will be placed on you,” he said.