Jail attack results in a rider

SANDPOINT — Jurisdiction is being retained in the case of Bonner County Jail inmate implicated in a violent attack on two fellow inmates last month, 1st District Court records show.

Michael Rudolph Gillock was charged with two counts of aggravated battery in the blitz, which sent one inmate to the hospital with a closed head wound and concussion and another with a broken jaw. The alleged attack occurred at the jail on Nov. 9, following a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in an indoor recreation area.

Gillock, 33, is accused of setting upon a 47-year-old inmate with an onslaught of blows before turning on a 30-year-old inmate, who also was punched and hit repeatedly, according to a probable cause affidavit. Gillock is further accused of pile-driving his knee into the head of the younger inmate after he fell to the floor, the affidavit said.

A motive for the attack is known only to the parties involved in the incident and none would cooperate with the investigation, court documents indicate. However, evidence of the attacks were captured on the facility’s surveillance cameras.

Gillock was charged at the felony level because the attack resulted in great bodily harm to the other inmates. Gillock was also facing sentencing enhancements for being a persistent violator and committing crimes inside a correctional facility. The latter enhancement could have added five years to life to Gillock’s sentence, while the former could have added another 15 years if he were to be convicted of the underlying offenses.

Gillock entered into a pretrial settlement agreement with state which dismissed the sentencing enhancements and one of the felony battery counts in exchange for a plea of guilt, court documents show. The felony drug possession case which caused Gillock to be incarcerated was also dismissed.

Gillock entered an Alford plea to one count of aggravated battery, which means he admits no wrongdoing but concedes he could be convicted if the matter went to trial. The plea is regarded no differently than a plea of guilt at sentencing.

Judge Barbara Buchanan imposed a suspended three- to five-year prison term but retained jurisdiction over the defendant, which is also known as a rider. When jurisdiction is retained, a defendant serves up to a year in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

Restitution in the case is pending.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.