Winchester Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Second-Degree Murder

COEUR D'ALENE—U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced that Kenneth D. Broncheau, 48, of Winchester, Idaho, was sentenced today in United States District Court to 30 years in prison for second-degree murder and using a firearm in a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also sentenced Broncheau to five years of supervised release following his prison term and fined him $2,000. He pleaded guilty to the charges on May 29, 2013.

According to the plea agreement, Broncheau admitted that on the evening of June 21, 2012, he intentionally shot and killed his mother, Carol Haskell, at their residence located on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Broncheau fired two shots from a Savage Arms .243 rifle; the first bullet missed Haskell, and the second struck her in the torso causing a mortal injury. Broncheau then retrieved a container of gasoline from a shed located on the property and returned to the residence. According to the plea agreement, Broncheau poured gasoline on the victim’s body and set it afire. A neighbor responding to the screams and gunshots removed the rifle from Broncheau’s hands. Broncheau was taken into custody by law enforcement shortly thereafter and has remained in custody since that time.

“Mr. Broncheau well deserves the significant sentence imposed by the court,” said Olson. “His intentional, senseless acts took his mother’s life. This office, along with federal and tribal law enforcement, are committed to ensuring public safety in Indian Country.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nez Perce Tribal Police, Idaho State Police, and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.