Teen shooter gets 12-year sentence

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – A Southern Idaho teenager who tried to kill a businessman by shooting him four times with a rifle and later pleaded guilty to attempted murder has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Michael Cannon, 17, was sentenced Friday in 5th District Court and must serve at least four years before he is eligible for parole.

Craig Hadden, of Shoshone, lost two ribs, his spleen and part of a lung in the shooting and said he was listed as dead on arrival when first hospitalized on April 1, 2009.

But he forgave Cannon in court Friday.

“Because of you shooting me, I feel I’m a better person.” Hadden said to Cannon, the Times-News reported. “I totally forgive you.”

Hadden was shot by a .30-06 rifle outside of his Lincoln County home.

“You’re lucky I’m not dead,” Hadden said. “I believe it’s because of the Lord that I’m here today.”

Authorities said 35-year-old Traci Hadden manipulated Cannon in the shooting and that the two had an ongoing sexual relationship. Craig Hadden is Traci Hadden’s former father-in-law.

“Traci is very bad,” said Craig Hadden.

Traci Hadden in February pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting attempted first-degree murder and grand theft. She is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

Traci Hadden’s 16-year-old son, Blue Hadden, was recently sent to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections for property crimes connected to Craig Hadden, his grandfather.