Lapwai man gets prison for murder

COEUR d’ALENE — A Lapwai man will spend nearly 20 years in prison for shooting a man to death.

William O. Eyle, 21, pleaded guilty earlier this year to second degree murder for the May 2023 killing of Elias A. Spencer, which occurred on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. 

United States District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced Eyle to 19 years in federal prison and ordered Eyle to serve five years of supervised release following the completion of his prison sentence. 

Prosecutors said there was no fight or disagreement between the two individuals. Rather, after Eyle’s car broke down in front of Spencer’s home and Spencer went to see what was happening, Eyle shot Spencer five times. 

Spencer’s family found his body on the sidewalk in front of the home, according to prosecutors. 

Eyle reportedly fled the area, destroyed evidence and remained a fugitive for months before the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service located him in November 2023. 

“The murder of Elias Albert Spencer was a senseless act of violence,” Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott said in a news release. “My heart goes out to Elias’ family, whose strength and resolve during this tragedy has been inspiring. While this sentence cannot bring Elias back, hopefully it provides them some measure of closure, while also preventing future acts of violence by this defendant for a lengthy time.”