FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Date: | September 29, 2023 |
| Contact: | Emily Lowe Public Information Officer 208-287-7700 |
| RE: | State v. Ruben Diaz – Trial Conviction |
BOISE – Following a five-day jury trial, a jury convicted 40-year-old Ruben Diaz of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon enhancement, resisting and obstructing law enforcement, and being a persistent violator.
The verdict was returned after approximately 3.5 hours of deliberation. On Nov. 8, 2018, Mr. Diaz was caught by a Boise Police Officer attacking then-74-year-old Gary Vinsonhaler. Mr. Diaz attacked Mr. Vinsonhaler on the victim’s property by repeatedly slashing him with a knife on his head and neck. Mr. Vinsonhaler sustained serious injuries, but thankfully survived. The victim and Mr. Diaz were not known to each other. When officers arrived on scene, Mr. Diaz refused to follow commands, and resisted arrest.
“Thank you to Mr. Vinsonhaler and his family for showing great patience and strength during this long court process. Thank you to the jurors for their time and attention during this trial,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “I also want to thank the concerned neighbors who called 911, which allowed Boise Police officers to intervene and get the victim to safety. I commend both the team at Boise Police and my trial team for their thorough work on this case.”
Mr. Diaz is set to be sentenced November 7, 2023, before Honorable Ada County District Judge Jonathan Medema.
Idaho code allows a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for being found a persistent violator.