Accused Strangler Released On Bond

COEUR D’ALENE — A North Idaho man accused of strangling his wife and then trying to commit suicide will be released from jail.

William Brinnon allegedly strangled his wife and then shot himself in the head back in April.  He was later charged with second degree murder.

In court Wednesday Brinnon’s defense attorney Ann Taylor asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that the state did not have enough evidence for a 2nd degree murder charge.  Taylor argued that Brinnon did not have expressed or intended malice when he committed the act, elements necessary for a second degree murder charge.

The judge denied the motion for dismissal, but did reduce Brinnon’s bond from $1 Million to $200,000. 

The defense asked the court to reduce the bond because conditions in jail were not adequate for Brinnon’s health condition.  Brinnon was blinded in one eye from the self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head.  

Brinnon, once released late Wednesday or early Thursday morning, will be living with his mother.  Under a condition of his release, Brinnon will not be allowed to leave the house or visit the crime scene, which is located a block from his mother’s house.