BOISE -- The man who shot and killed a 28-year-old driver in Boise was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday.
Shawn Fisher, now 37, was arrested after firing his gun at two different drivers on Feb. 18, 2013. One victim was shot and killed in his car in the middle of Franklin Road. Fisher plead guilty in July 2015 to second-degree murder in the death of Matthew Mohler-Kerns.
"This was a choice."
It's a phrase family members of Matthew Mohler-Kerns used repeatedly at the sentencing hearing Wednesday.
Mohler-Kerns' mother, father, and siblings each spoke to the judge, urging him to give Fisher the maximum sentence he could. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors had agreed to cap their recommendation to 25 years fixed, but family members wanted life in prison.
The other man Fisher shot at that night spoke to the court. He said he was leaving his apartment to go to Best Buy. He pulled up to a stop light on Vista Avenue and his car was rammed from behind, Fisher was at the wheel.
"I slammed my brakes on. And that's when I saw as he passed me, his passenger window explode, and a thunk hit next to my ear," said the victim.
Feeling unsafe, he continued on and called police. Later, he found a bullet in the metal frame behind the driver's seat.
Prosecutors say Fisher had followed the man to Best Buy, and when he wasn't able to find him, he shot Mohler-Kerns as he sat at the wheel of his car on Franklin Road.
Mohler-Kerns mother stood up to read her victim statement, "I am Matthew's mother. I'm standing here today because my son was senselessly murdered, shot in the face, and left to die by the defendant, Sean Nathan Fisher."
The defense argued Fisher was fighting mental illness.
A doctor who had examined Fisher testified that paranoid schizophrenia, along with drug use, was a factor that day.
"The mental illness component is that paranoid delusion that he thought he was being chased, this person "Jesse" had contacted him through his X-box and given him messages he was actually going to go kill his family," said the doctor.
In the two-and-a-half years since his arrest, Fisher has been in jail.
The doctor said medications had helped Fisher, and he would likely need to be medicated for the rest of his life.
"It's essential. If he doesn't have that treatment he would be like he was when he was arrested," said the doctor from the witness stand.
Judge Jason Scott said he was concerned about Fisher re-entering society because of Fisher's history of denying medication.
"I just can't get there comfort level wise. I think Mr. Fisher and the risk he presents is a profound one," said Scott.
Scott sentenced Fisher to life in prison, but before he did, Fisher took the opportunity to address the family.
"I wish I could turn back time and do everything over again. I know nothing can make things right no matter what I say or do but I am deeply sorry for my actions that night," said Fisher.
Fisher has the right to appeal the judge's decision. The judge also ordered restitution be paid to the state for a little more than $8,700.
