Life sentence in home-invasion case
SANDPOINT — A convicted killer found guilty of a home-invasion robbery attempt in Sandpoint was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.
Randy Carl Eiland will have to serve at least 20 years before he can be considered for parole, according to the terms of the sentence imposed by 1st District Judge Barbara Buchanan.
“Society has to be safe, Mr. Eiland, and I think that’s the only way I can assure that that happens,” Buchanan said of the sentence.
Eiland had no discernable reaction to the sentence, but indicated during the hearing that he intends to appeal.
A Bonner County jury convicted Eiland, 51, of aggravated battery and burglary on Sept. 17. The charges stemmed from an Oct. 21, 2014, break-in of a waterfront home occupied by a couple and their adult daughter. Eiland allegedly attack the family's patriarch with bear repellant, causing him and his wife and daughter to retreat to a bedroom.
After the family managed to shut and barricade the door, Eiland fled and was found at a Selkirk-Pend Oreille Transit bus stop along U.S. Highway 2. Eiland was also suffering from the bear spray and had bits of glass in his clothing, according to Sandpoint Police reports.
Eiland, who acted as his own legal counsel, argued at trial he was the victim of a case of mistaken identity. However, Eiland admitted culpability at sentencing.
“I apologize. My actions were out of line,” said Eiland, who asked the court for a second chance and argued that lifelong imprisonment was inappropriate.
Eiland recommended a five-year term.
Eiland was subject to Idaho’s persistent violator sentencing enhancement due to prior felony convictions for burglary and theft in Washington state and Alaska. Eiland was also convicted of first-degree murder in 1985 for allegedly shooting a theater manager during a robbery attempt in Lynnwood, Wash.
Eiland served 22 years for the killing. Eiland portrayed himself as merely an accomplice in the shooting.
Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall recommended lifelong prison terms, which are allowable under Idaho’s persistent violator statute.
Marshall pointed out that Eiland was not under the influence of drink or drugs and had ample time not only to plan the crime as he rode the SPOT bus at length, but ample opportunity to call it off — especially when he realized the home was occupied.
“Mister Eiland constitutes a threat to our society. He was not rehabilitated and he’s not going to be rehabilitated. He’s in his 50s. This is who he is,” Marshall said.
Buchanan said Eiland downplayed the effect his crimes had on the family he menaced.
“They were so terrified that they sold their dream home and moved across the country so this crime has had horrible impact,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan also doubted Eiland’s ability to be rehabilitated.
“You didn’t learn. You weren’t rehabilitated and, unfortunately, Mr. Eiland, I don’t believe you can be,” Buchanan said.