MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — A 70-year-old man accused of murder made his first appearance in an Elmore County courtroom Wednesday afternoon.
Donald Schultz is charged with multiple crimes including second-degree murder, failure to report a death, grand theft, racketeering and more.
The criminal complaint in this case states the murder allegedly happened back in June of last year.
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In fact, all the charges stem from 2018, but Schultz wasn't arrested until Tuesday.
His defense attorney said in court that this is a clear case of self-defense, and Schultz was standing his ground. The lawyer said the victim charged at him with a sledgehammer prior to his death.
According to the probable cause affidavit, during an interview with a detective, Schultz said he then pulled a .380 caliber handgun from his waist and fired four shots, striking the victim in the mid-torso area. The victim collapsed on the shop floor.
Afterwards, Schultz transported the man's body to a known location in Elmore County. He also failed to contact law enforcement to report the death.
The Hot Wired Auto Body Shop just outside Mountain Home city limits was taped off Wednesday. We believe the victim worked at the shop and lived on the same street. There were investigators there from Idaho State Police assisting in the case – doing forensic work on scene.
According to the probable cause affidavit, detectives also believe that Schultz sold two vehicles that belonged to the victim - a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 1966 Chevy Corvair. Police did track the new owners of the vehicles. Police said the Covair was the victim's pride and joy and he would have never sold it.
Bond for Schultz was set at $2 million, but the prosecution asked for a $20 million bond. The judge responded by saying he would never set a bond that high.
Neither the victim's name or relationship to the suspect was revealed in court. According to the court documents, the two men shared a residence in Mountain home. Schultz and two others lived in the finished basement.
Elmore County Sheriff Mike Hollinshead held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to release some new details about the investigation and answer questions from reporters. You can watch that interview here.
