Man sentenced after shooting death

A Post Falls man who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he reportedly shot and killed a man could spend less than a year behind bars.

William C. Carlson pleaded guilty in November to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement.

The charge stems from the Oct. 20, 2018, shooting death of 24-year-old Tyler S. Liles.

Carlson told police that Liles had approached him in the driveway of his Post Falls home in what Carlson described as an aggressive manner. Carlson reportedly told Liles he would “stand his ground.”

“Stand your ground” laws have been adopted in several states, including Idaho, establishing a right to use lethal force in the case of a threat.

When Liles refused to leave his property, Carlson reportedly fired one shot into the other man’s chest at close range, killing him.

Judge Scott Wayman suspended Carlson’s sentence this week.

Instead of serving 10 years in prison, Carlson faces 364 days in the Kootenai County jail and five years of probation.

If Carlson were to violate the terms of his probation, he could serve the full 10-year sentence.