Man pleads guilty to assault with intent to kill

An 80-year-old Idaho man has changed his plea to guilty after being accused of trying to murder his son.

A sentencing hearing was held Tuesday morning in a Bonneville County attempted murder case.

80-year-old Dale Smith of Caldwell is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree stalking, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

Prosecutors said Smith violated an order of protection after Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the home of Bryan Smith at around 8 p.m. Nov. 16 after he saw a suspicious vehicle near his home.

At the home, deputies found Dale Smith, Bryan Smith’s father, in the vehicle.

Circuit Court Judge Bruce Pickett agreed to an amended charge of assault with an intent to commit a felony. Prosecutors dropped the possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

Smith also agreed to a guilty Alford Plea for the attempted murder charge, which means a defendant asserts innocence but admits prosecutors have enough evidence to persuade a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 28.