Idaho Veteran Grandfather in Legal Jeopardy for Protecting Grandchildren from Sexual Abuse

An Idaho Vietnam Veteran remains jailed on a $1 million bond, facing murder charges after shooting and killing his son-in-law, who was suspected by Idaho authorities of sexually abusing the Veteran’s grandchildren, and the son-in-law’s biological children.

On February 5, 2021, James Brashear, 67, shot and killed his son-in-law shortly after learning that an out of state judge had ordered Mr. Brashear’s daughter to turn the children over to their suspected abuser for an unsupervised visit. The out of state order prompted the Brashear family, assisted by Idaho law enforcement and child protective authorities, to seek emergency reprieve from the Idaho courts. Unable to obtain an emergency order, the family prepared the children, ages 9 and 7, for the visit. The children cried and pleaded with their maternal grandfather not to be left alone with their father.

Emotionally devastated by his grandchildren’s fear, the stress of his daughter’s 3-year custody battle and the sexual abuse investigations, Mr. Brashear traveled alone, without his daughter and without his grandchildren, to the exchange location to meet his son-in-law. Unexpectedly, his son-in-law was accompanied by several other individuals. The shooting occurred at that time, while Mr. Brashear suffered from an emotionally diminished state of mind caused by the stress of these severe circumstances, further exacerbated by a traumatic brain injury which had recently resulted in a neuro-psychological assessment finding that his mental acumen had been significantly affected. Unquestionably, Mr. Brashear’s actions were motivated by his concern for his grandchildren’s well- being. He remained on scene following the shooting and peacefully surrendered to police.

Mr. and Mrs. Brashear have been married for over 39 years. They have 9 children (6 sons and 3 daughters) and 12 grandchildren. Mr. Brashear is a Vietnam veteran who was honorably discharged in 1976. He has no prior criminal history. He is retired from a career as a supervisor in the industrial printing industry. He has coached youth baseball, taught hunter’s safety classes, and he has been actively involved in church services and other activities.

Mrs. Brashear, who still works as a registered nurse, is selling the family’s home to help pay for Mr. Brashear’s legal defense. Still, the price for attorneys, investigators, and for forensic psychologists and psychiatrists is beyond the family’s financial means. Please help this family defend their grandfather, father, and husband. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you for hearing their story.