Picketers at AG’s office demand answers on Idaho rancher’s death

Supporters of the family of Jack Yantis, who died after being shot by Adams County sheriff’s deputies Nov. 1, called on the public earlier this week to take two minutes to call, email and write letters to the Idaho Attorney General’s office about the case.

They also held a Friday afternoon rally outside the Attorney General’s Office.

Around a dozen people — plus about 10 media members — turned out for the rally. It began outside in the rain on the steps of the Capitol building but quickly moved inside, where demonstrators held up signs at the entrance to the AG’s office.

Rally organizers Michael McLaughlin and Becca Barrow spoke privately with an attorney general’s official as the rally was ending. They had positive things to say after emerging from that meeting, which they declined to discuss.

“They were very kind to us in there,” McLaughlin said.

“They seem to understand what we’re going through,” Barrow added.

Audrey Bath of Boise took off work to attend the rally.

“I’m here because on Nov. 1 a man died at the front of his driveway. He didn’t commit any crime,” she said. “He was killed by two deputy sheriffs in Adams County, and nothing has happened since. It really shakes me up. I’m just devastated about it — for the community, the family and the state.”

Tom McReynolds, a Boise barber and Uber driver, said authorities have taken too long to release the report on the shooting.

“They put the police on paid leave, and they started acting like the police were victims,” McReynolds said, later adding “I think it’s part of a national problem where they’re trained to be way too aggressive."

Sharon Ketchum said Yantis’ widow, Donna, deserves better from the state of Idaho.

“They’re stalling,” she said.

Kriss Bivens Cloyd, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, handed out copies of a written statement to the group, as well as a letter that was sent to Adams County Commissioners.

“The case is a high priority for us, but we only get one chance to achieve justice for everyone involved, including Mr. Yantis,” Wasden said in the statement. “For that reason I have not imposed an arbitrary timeline that could lead to a rush in judgment.”

Some demonstrators, including Boise Web developer Anthony Dephue, tried to press Bivens Cloyd for answers.

“They’ve had the results of the investigation for weeks,” Dephue told the Statesman later. “And we’ve heard nothing.”

State and federal prosecutors will determine whether Brian Wood and Cody Roland, the two deputies who shot Yantis, will face any charges. The deputies are on paid leave pending the outcome.

Investigators have not released much of the information they’ve gathered on what transpired between Yantis and the deputies after a car struck the rancher’s bull on U.S. 95 in front of his house.

Yantis’ wife, who witnessed the shooting, said it was murder. An attorney for the deputies said the family’s account is “not accurate in numerous material respects,” and the initial report from Idaho State Police said all three men fired their weapons.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Picketers at AG’s office demand answers on Idaho rancher’s death."