Samuel sentencing scheduled for April 4
COEUR d'ALENE — Eldon Samuel III, a Coeur d'Alene teen convicted by a jury of two counts of murder, will be sentenced in April, possibly to a state mental hospital.
During a scheduling hearing at the Kootenai County jail Wednesday, the prosecution and defense agreed to a two-day sentencing hearing, which will begin on April 4. Samuel, who was 14 at the time of the incident and is now 16, was found guilty last month of second-degree murder in the death of his father, Eldon Samuel Jr., and first-degree murder in the death of his younger brother, Jonathan Samuel.
"This is going to be a difficult sentencing for the court," said Kootenai County District Court Judge Benjamin Simpson during the hearing.
Samuel, who was not present at the hearing, is scheduled to undergo a psychological evaluation in March. His public defenders asked Simpson to waive a component of the evaluation focusing on substance abuse, telling the judge the test was unnecessary because the teen never displayed signs of having problems with substance abuse prior to being incarcerated two years ago.
Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Art Verharen did not object to the request.
The defense team also told Simpson they plan to call multiple witnesses to testify during the sentencing hearing. Those witnesses include individuals from California who were unable to make it to the trial, doctors, and other individuals who wish to speak in support of Samuel.
"You've clearly established during trial that Eldon Samuel Jr. was a violent man and that Eldon Samuel III had a horrible childhood — I can't imagine much worse of an upbringing," Simpson said before encouraging the defense to accept written affidavits from witnesses in place of verbal testimony.
Simpson said there are several options he can pursue when sentencing Samuel. One of those options, called juvenile disposition, would see Samuel committed to a state mental health facility, where he would be treated until he turns 21.
After turning 21, Samuel would then either be eligible for parole or be sent to an adult prison. Simpson said he can also impose an adult sentence of life in prison, and that there are other options he can pursue as well.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Simpson asked both sides to be prepared to discuss the treatment options available to Samuel, and how soon the teen could receive the treatment.