FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | February 5, 2021 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
| RE: | State v. Matthew Kelly Sentencing |
BOISE – Matthew S. Kelly, 21, of Emmett, was sentenced Friday to serve up to 54 years in prison for shooting and injuring Eagle City Police Officer Brandon Austin. Mr. Kelly was also sentenced for multiple grand thefts and burglaries. Mr. Kelly’s crimes impacted over 20 victims.
In July 2020, Mr. Kelly was arrested after stealing a motorcycle, eluding law enforcement on the motorcycle, and then firing a gun at responding Officer Austin. Two of the multiple rounds Mr. Kelly fired at Officer Austin wounded him.
Mr. Kelly was charged with felony aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft and eluding a peace officer, in addition to multiple burglary charges in a separate case. He pleaded guilty to aggravated battery upon a law enforcement officer and multiple grand theft and burglary charges.
For all his charges, Ada County District Judge Jonathan Medema sentenced Mr. Kelly to 54 years in prison, with 35 to be served before being eligible for parole.
“For Officer Austin’s courage, valor and sacrifice in the line of duty, you and your family have our deepest gratitude,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe. July 13, 2020 was a somber reminder of that.”
“We are privileged and honored to serve with Sheriff Bartlett and his team as we partner to keep our community safe,” Prosecutor Bennetts added. “Thank you also to the local law enforcement agencies who assisted in this investigation for the thorough investigation conducted into the multiple crimes involved. The hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners helped us ensure justice was served.”
“The utterly senseless shooting and wounding of Brandon Austin this past summer represents one of the darkest days in the over 150 years this agency has been protecting our community,” said Ada County Sheriff Steve Bartlett. “Today is a better day. While there is nothing that can ever totally even the scales of justice for Brandon, I am relieved the violent and dangerous person responsible will no longer be a threat to our community for at least the next 35 years.”
“I want to thank Ada County prosecutors for their hard work and dedication in their pursuit of justice for Brandon. We appreciate it more than you can ever know. I want to thank Judge Medema for his thorough, thoughtful, and fair application of justice in this case,” said Sheriff Bartlett. “I also want to thank every member of our community who supports Brandon and the rest of our agency. We are humbled to be allowed to serve such excellent people. You all have my deepest gratitude.”