TETON VALLEY, IDA – Local News 8 (KIDK/KIFI) is reporting accused murderer Erik Ohlson entered a surprise guilty plea last week in 7th District Court in Rexburg. Ohlson, 41, is accused of killing Jennifer Nalley, 39, and her unborn child in a rage in July 2016.
According to Local News 8, Teton County (Idaho) Prosecutor Billie Siddoway and the accused signed a plea deal that will allow Ohlson to avoid the death penalty.
As reported after the incident in Buckrail, the enigmatic Nalley had her life tragically cut down in a hail of bullets outside her home near Driggs on July 4, 2016. Nalley’s body was discovered lying facedown on her porch, riddled with at least eight gunshot wounds.
Ohlson and Nalley had a rocky relationship, marked by a history of verbal and emotional abuse. In a confession thrown out of court on Miranda Rights violations, Ohlson initially admitted to authorities that he went to Nalley’s house drunk and armed with a Glock that night. Minutes later he was walking away with an empty handgun trying to summon the resolve to reload and use it on himself. He couldn’t. He threw the gun down and sped off.
Ohlson was picked up a short time later, his silver pickup rammed into a power pole on Highway 33 and West 2500. He blew a .24. He spent the night in the drunk tank until Teton County Sheriff’s deputies made the gruesome discovery of Nalley’s body the next morning, and connected the two events.
Nalley’s family has been waiting nearly three years to see justice done. Sentencing is scheduled for May 9 in Driggs.
Teton County, Wyoming – Community Safety Network (307) 733-SAFE.
Teton County, Idaho – Family Safety Network (208) 354-SAFE .
Both help lines are 24 hours, free, and confidential.
