Supreme Court Upholds Pratt’s Murder Sentence Killer Appealed Resentencing In Forest Service Officer’s Death

A retired judge has jurisdiction until “final disposition” of a criminal case, the Idaho Supreme Court says, upholding the sentence of at least 25 years in prison for a North Idaho man.

James Kevin Pratt was sent to prison for 25 years to life for killing a U.S. Forest Service officer, Brent Jacobson, in 1989.

The Idaho Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously rejected Pratt’s appeal and upheld the sentence ordered by now-retired Judge Watt Prather.

Pratt and his brother were convicted in the slaying of Jacobson in Bonner County.

Court records said the brothers attempted to rob a home, but fled with a hostage when police arrived.

An extended pursuit followed and James Pratt shot Jacobson to death as the Forest Service officer was aiding in the chase.

Pratt was originally sentenced to death but that sentence was overturned and resentencing was ordered.

Since Prather retired, but returned to the bench to resentence Pratt, the killer claimed the judge had no authority over him.

In an opinion written by Justice Linda Copple Trout, the Supreme Court said the order appointing Prather to the case said he was to handle all matters until “final disposition.”

The judge’s jurisdiction will continue as long as the case goes on, the court said.