Idaho man accused of killing wife in 2019 is trying to withdraw February guilty plea
A former Meridian man accused of shooting and killing his wife last year is trying to have his guilty plea withdrawn in the hopes of securing a jury trial.
Eric Steiner, 43, was present during a hearing Friday morning at the Ada County Courthouse. Prosecutors and Steiner’s defense attorney argued over a motion to withdraw Steiner’s plea and move for trial dates to be set.
He was arrested in March 2019 shortly after he called 911 dispatchers and reportedly said that he killed his wife — 41-year-old Christine Steiner. She died from a gunshot wound to her head, according to the Ada County Coroner’s Office. During a preliminary hearing last June, the 911 dispatcher who took the call testified that Steiner said he was the shooter.
After the case was bound over to 4th District Court, Steiner pleaded guilty to a first-degree murder charge in February. In return, prosecutors dropped one charge — an enhancement for using a deadly weapon. However, Steiner then first tried to withdraw his guilty plea in late April.
Heidi Koonce, one of two public defenders originally assigned to Steiner’s case, testified Friday that Steiner was willing to accept the plea deal that was offered to them, which would include a recommended sentence of 25 years to life in prison. This was an improvement of a previous offer that included 30 years to life.
Robert Chastain, Steiner’s new legal counsel, asked Koonce whether she forced Steiner to plead guilty.
“I told him what I tell everyone: it’s your decision,” Koonce said.
Steiner said he twice filed formal complaints to Koonce’s supervisor and mentioned to his other attorney that he wanted Koonce fired. However, Steiner decided to keep both attorneys. Hours before Steiner pleaded guilty, he and his counsel met to discuss the terms of the deal. Koonce testified that Steiner said he was “ready to go.”
District Judge Samuel Hoagland was notified on April 22 that Steiner wanted to withdraw his plea, and that Koonce and the other attorney would be stepping back from the case. Chastain was later appointed to represent Steiner.
During closing statements, Chastain argued that prosecutors wouldn’t have a difficult time preparing this case for trial, and his client simply wants it to be handled fairly.
“It’s his belief that he didn’t get a fair shake,” Chastain said.
Chastain conceded that even if Steiner is allowed to withdraw his plea, it won’t be an easy road. If the plea is withdrawn, so are the terms of the agreement, meaning prosecutors could ask for a longer prison term if Steiner is convicted.
Brett Judd, an Ada County prosecutor, argued that the motion to withdraw his plea should be struck down, claiming Steiner had not met the standard needed for a court to allow for withdrawal. Judd noted that when Steiner pleaded guilty, the judge inquired about his attorneys and Steiner raised no issues.
Hoagland took the matter under advisement and said he would issue a written ruling at a later date, effectively putting a temporary halt on Steiner’s case.
Steiner is being held at the Ada County Jail on $2 million bail.
NEED HELP?
The Women’s and Children’s Alliance in Boise is available at 208-343-7025 for victims of domestic violence or online at wcaboise.org.
The Faces of Hope Victim Center is available for victims in need of emergency services at 417 S. 6th St. in Boise. Victims should call 911 in emergencies or call 208-577-4400 on weekdays during business hours. Faces of Hope provides free medical care and forensic examinations for victims, as well as assistance with filing police reports and mental health care after an assault.
Anyone in need of help or who believes they may be in a violent relationship is encouraged to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
