Editor’s note: This story contains mention of domestic violence. Anyone who is experiencing a domestic violence relationship or knows someone in a domestic violence relationship is encouraged to seek help. This can be done by contacting local law enforcement or calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
The air was thick with emotion at the Seventh District Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 28, as community members gathered for the sentencing of Matthew Micheal Muir, age 35, for his role in the Feb. 17 Main Street shooting in Price.
On Feb. 17, Muir got into a confrontation with his ex-girlfriend, leading to her fleeing from the vehicle they were in. Upon her exit, Muir fired three shots at the victim, with one striking her in the arm and the others going through the door to a local pharmacy. After this initial volley, Muir used the gun on himself. Muir was transported to the hospital before making what was referred to in court as a ‘miraculous’ recovery.
Following his release from the hospital, he was arrested on charges of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping – while committing unlawful detention, aggravated robbery, all first-degree felonies. Additionally, he faced charges of felony discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony, and carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence of drugs, a class-B misdemeanor.
Following a trial in which he pleaded guilty and was found guilty, Muir appeared before Judge Brian Bolinder for sentencing.
Opening the hearing, prosecuting attorney Dominique Kiahtipes addressed the court, explaining the prosecution was seeking the maximum recommended sentence, to be served consecutively, with credit for time served on the misdemeanor charge.
She continued, sharing that due to the “gravity” of the case and the “serious, violent and life-altering” actions taken by Muir on Feb. 17, the maximum sentence should be imposed.
Kiahtipes also discussed text messages from Muir to the victim that were presented as evidence, which included texts that read “call me or something bad will happen real fast” and others that said they would be together until one of them dies and to “not make me do this.”
Moving her focus to the shooting, Kiahtipes explained that it was a miraculous outcome that no one else was hurt during this incident, as Muir shot across two lanes of traffic. She also again mentioned the physical and psychological damage caused by the event, with the victim “still in the thick of the psychological damage caused by the defendant,” as well as the pain still felt by the victim from her wounds.
As policy, Castle Country Radio does not typically publish the names of victims of domestic violence.
Closing her initial remarks, Kiahtipes again urged Judge Bolinder to impose consecutive sentences on the charges in the interest of public safety, deterrence and punishment.
Turning next to an impact statement from the victim’s mother, an air of forgiveness filled the courtroom as the central question became Why? The statement mentioned Muir’s children with the victim and how the incident “rocked their little world.” Several times throughout the letter, the victim’s mother expressed forgiveness for Muir, including stating she does not encourage the maximum sentence in the case.
Moving to the defense, attorney Robert Oliver encouraged the judge to ” rather than focus on a snapshot, look at the whole movie,” borrowing words from Muir’s mother. He also described the events of Feb. 17 as “A day he (Muir) could take back if he could.”
Reading from the presentence investigation victim impact statement, Muir is described as a “wonderful father” and having a history of maintaining employment. He is also described in the PSI as a son, brother and a dedicated family member.
Oliver laid forth three reasons why the defense believed the maximum sentence should not be imposed. He clarified that the defense was not asking for a slap on the wrist and instead asked that the sentencing floor be lowered from 15 to life to 10 to life. First, he mentioned the eagerness to receive treatment by Muir, saying that he was eager to attend every treatment program available in prison. He also mentioned that Muir had accepted responsibility for his actions and that he had a strong support system behind him.
Moving to the defendant’s impact statements, the courtroom heard from three of Muir’s sisters and his mother. Across their individual statements, common themes of the defendant’s history of service, past trauma associated with the loss of his father at a young age and the love for his family. However, they also acknowledged the gravity of the crime, but asked for an outcome that focused on rehabilitation.
During his impact statement, Muir apologized deeply, fighting back tears as he expressed remorse for the events of Feb. 17.
Returning to the podium, Kiahtipes expressed that listening to the statements read in court “makes this situation all the more sad.” But the prosecution argued that the same support systems that Muir had in place throughout the trial process were also available to him the day of the shooting and that he had “shown what he is capable of” through the shooting.
She added that “rehabilitation is what the defendant makes it,” and the Muir “shouldn’t get a windfall for the miracles that occurred.”
Moving into sentencing, Judge Bolinder described the situation as one “where several individuals have been impacted and a community that has been impacted.” He also gave credit to both sides for their impact statements, saying,” This isn’t one where we have statements of vitriol and blame.” Bolinder also acknowledged the concessions of the prosecution, such as not pursuing an enhancement for serious bodily injury, which could have increased the sentence to life without the possibility of parole.
Ultimately, Muir was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on the attempted aggravated murder charge, 15 years to life in prison for aggravated kidnapping – while committing unlawful detention, five years to life in prison for aggravated robbery and three to five years in prison for felony discharge of a firearm. Muir received credit for time served on the carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence of drugs misdemeanor charge.
“A day does not define a life,” said Judge Bolinder following sentencing,” but you will face consequences for that day.”