BOISE, Idaho — Ruben Diaz, 41, was sentenced to life in prison for the random attack of a Boise man, and being a persistent violator according to the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
"There is no reason to believe that Mr. Diaz will refrain from attacking others if in the community," said Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Kendal McDevitt. "Yet, there is reason to believe that Mr. Diaz will attack again if in the community based on his actions in this case and in 2006 and 2007, which only ended when he was apprehended."
Diaz was caught on Nov. 8, 2018 by a Boise Police Officer while attacking the then-74-year-old Gary Vinsonhaler. Police said, Diaz attacked Vinsonhaler on the victim's property. Vinsonhaler survived the attack, despite sustaining serious injuries. The two men did not know each other.
As previously reported by KTVB, court records show that Diaz had spent time in prison after being convicted of two felony counts of aggravated battery in 2008. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but was released on parole just four months before the attack on Vinsonhaler.
Nearly 5 years to the day after the event, Diaz was sentenced to life in prison by an Ada County District Judge.
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