Prosecutor asks to combine trials for two men accused in Ririe rest stop murder case

RIRIE — Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal has asked for 2 tests to beryllium mixed successful nan lawsuit of 36-year-old Morey Pelton’s alleged murder.

Randy Larkin, 59, was indicted connected July 14, 2022, connected 1 count of first-degree execution successful nan case. Gerald Hamlin, 61, was indicted connected Feb. 8, 2024, connected 1 count of main to first-degree murder, 1 count of accessory to first-degree murder, and 1 count of destruction, alteration, aliases concealment of evidence.

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According to tribunal filings, Neal requested connected May 20 that nan tests beryllium consolidated because they are based connected nan aforesaid allegations.

“The logic for this mobility is that these 2 cases impact nan aforesaid alleged unfortunate and are based connected a commonality of acts and witnesses,” says Neal successful nan filing. “It would beryllium successful nan liking of judicial system to consolidate these 2 cases.”

District Judge Bruce Pickett is scheduled to norm connected nan mobility connected June 12.

Background

Pelton’s assemblage was recovered connected May 13, 2022, astatine nan Lane Clark Rest Area on U.S. Highway 26 betwixt Ririe and Swan Valley.

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According to Neal, Pelton was recovered deceased from a azygous gunshot wound.

The nationalist has small accusation astir nan investigation because some Larkin and Hamlin’s indictments are sealed. We do cognize that Hamlin’s indictment alleges he knew that Larkin killed Pelton and did not show nan police.

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It besides alleges that he “willfully destroyed matter message(s) betwixt nan suspect and different suspect, knowing that nan matter message(s) were astir to beryllium produced, used, aliases discovered arsenic evidence.”

Larkin’s assemblage proceedings is presently scheduled for Nov. 12, and Hamlin’s proceedings is scheduled for July 15.

Though Larkin and Hamlin person been charged pinch these crimes, this does not needfully mean they committed them. Everyone is presumed guiltless until proven guilty.

If convicted, Larkin and Hamlin could some look life successful situation aliases nan decease penalty.