Nicholas J. Campbell could spend the next 45 years in prison for the violent attack and sexual assault of a female jogger in 2018.
Campbell pleaded guilty Friday to felony counts of battery to commit a serious felony, infliction of great bodily injury, and destruction of evidence in connection with the 2018 attack.
The woman did not know Campbell, who lived in the same neighborhood – Charter Pointe, which is in the Lake Hazel/Maple Grove roads area south of Boise — when the crime occurred.
The attack occurred just after 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2018.
The woman was running her regular jogging route and was headed west on W. Brogan Drive, between S. Seabreeze Way and S. Elinor Rose Avenue, when she was attacked from behind by a man who grabbed her around the neck, knocked her to the ground, and attacked her.
It appears Campbell targeted the woman while observing her daily running route without her knowing.
Detectives and patrol deputies relentlessly worked on the case for years following the attack, interviewing dozens of people and collecting and reviewing all kinds of evidence – including the gathering of multiple DNA swabs from people of interest in the case.
A combination of comprehensive detective work and development of DNA evidence identified Campbell as the attacker and led to his arrest in 2021.
Campbell entered “Alford pleas” to all three charges Friday morning, which means he didn’t admit guilt but does acknowledge the evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if the case went to trial.
In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed to drop a felony persistent violator charge. They will recommend a 45-year prison sentence, where Campbell could ask for parole after 20 years.
A sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 6.