Two charged in Pocatello murder investigation

Michael Miera and Janeal Miera are being charged for the murder of a Pocatello man earlier this year.

Michael Miera is being charged with one count of first degree murder. Janeal Miera is charged with being a principal to first degree murder.

Both suspects were already in custody in the Bannock County Jail at the time of these charges for other crimes, including felony eluding of police. The charges were announced Tuesday by the Pocatello Police Department, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and Bannock County Prosecutor Stephen Herzog.

The two are suspects in the death of Brandon Lenker. Police had been searching for Lenker as the suspect of a stolen vehicle investigation. They found the stolen SUV April 27 in the Portneuf River. They found Lenker’s body May 6 in the Rapid Creek area on the Fort Hall reservation.

Investigators have not determined a motive for the murder at this time.

Michael and Janeal Miera will have an initial court appearance for these new charges Tuesday afternoon.

During the press conference it was announced that a total of 13 different agencies worked together to investigate this murder, including groups from Power County and Bingham County. As part of that process, mulitiple pieces of evidence were discovered and paired together to connect Michael and Janeal Miera to the murder. At this time, the case is being sealed to protect the investigation and details on the evidence will not be released at this time.

Prosecutors have 60 days after Michael Miera’s district court arraignment to determine whether or not they will push for the death penalty.

Herzog said Janeal is being charged with principal to first degree murder rather than just an accessory because it carries a harsher penalty.

Michael Miera is being held on a $1 million bond. Janeal Miera is being held on a $250,000 bond.