In April 1995, two troubled teens on the run from the law in Payette National Forest encounter an innocent forest service worker and commit the unthinkable.
David Jack Wheeler in 1994 (Photo Source) The La Grande Observer
Eric Scott Brown and Ronald Dean Stiner at the time of the arrests (Photo Source) Baker City Herald
Crime Scene Map (Source) Baker City Herald
Crime Scene of Bridge Location near Mann Creek (Photo Source) The Idaho Statesman
Elmore County Juvenile Detention trailer in Mountain Home Idaho circa 1995. (Photo Source) The Idaho Statesman
Payette National Forest Image (Photo Source) National Forest Foundation
Payette National Forest Map (Source) Google Maps
Episode Source Material
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner Police Interview Transcript. April 26, 1995. Filed April 27, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Weiser Police Department: Incident Reports. April 26, 1995. Filed April 27, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown Criminal Complaint. April 27, 1995. Filed April 27, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner Criminal Complaint. April 27, 1995. Filed April 27, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Observer: Teen-agers charged with murdering man. By Chris Collins and Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Baker City man murdered in Idaho forest. By Chris Collins and Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Associated Press via The Spokesman Review: Two Teens Charged With Killing Forest Worker Forest Service Employee Shot in Apparent Robbery Attempt. By Staff.
- South Idaho Press: Forest worker murdered. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Coeur d’Alene Press: Teens charged in FS employee’s murder. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Two teen-agers held in killing. By Jonathan Brinckman with contributions by Marianne Flagg Accessed via Newspapers.com (1)
- The Idaho Statesman: Two teen-agers held in killing. By Jonathan Brinckman with contributions by Marianne Flagg Accessed via Newspapers.com (2)
- The Idaho Statesman: Shooting stuns victim’s wife, hometown. By Marianne Flagg Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Forest worker’s shooting, charges against two teens stun Weiser. By Jonathan Brinckman Accessed via Newspapers.com
- East Oregonian: Family stunned by random killing in forest. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Obituaries – ‘Dave’ Wheeler. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The La Grande Observer: Wheeler remembered by co-workers. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Observer: Teens charged in murder. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Friends, co-workers remember Wheeler. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Idaho youths charged with murder. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Search suspended for murder weapon. By Jayson Jacoby and Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Crowd fills auditorium to remember Wheeler. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Deaths – David J. Wheeler. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Judges had criticized juvenile facility. By Marianne Flagg with contributors Elizabeth Ommachen and Jonathan Brinckman Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Small counties can pool funds to handle youthful offenders. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Spokesman-Review: Teens easily fled custody before murder. By Associated Press Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Affidavit of Robert M. Taisey. Filed May 1, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Times-News: Officials defend actions leading to suspects’ escape. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Bulletin: Teen suspects ‘pleasant,’ sheriff says of escapees. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Teens’ escape points to holes in system. By Marianne Flagg.
- The Idaho Statesman: State’s new juvenile too young to help. By Elizabeth Ommachen with contributor Marianne Flagg.
- The Idaho Statesman: Leadership needed on lockups. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Murder weapon search waits on Snake River. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Times-News: Craig wants feds disarmed. By Staff and Associated Press Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: KIDS WHO KILL. By Elizabeth Ommachen Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Solutions, not excuses. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Oregonian: Idaho reschedules hearing for teens accused of murder. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Stiner / Brown Preliminary Hearing. Filed May 26, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: Murder suspects bound over. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Observer: Teen murder suspect says he has ‘heard little voices’. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Stiner / Brown Arraignment. Filed June 2, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Idaho Statesman: One teen enters plea in killing. By Elizabeth Ommachen Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Small counties can pool funds to handle dangerous youths. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Observer: Suspect denies killing USFS worker. By Angie Sillonis Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown, Motions to Suppress Defendant’s Statements. Filed June 15, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: Second murder suspect pleads. By Angie Sillonis Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Bill introduced to rename federal building for Wheeler Accessed via Newspapers.com
- South Idaho Press: Senators hope to name building after slain Forest Service employee. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown, State Response to Motion to Suppress Statements. Filed August 5, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Oregonian: Senators want to honor slain forest engineer. By Scott Sonner Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner, Motion to Suppress Defendant’s Statements. Filed August 17, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Observer: Judge grants reschedule of Wheeler murder trial. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner, State Response to Defendant’s Motion to Suppress Defendant’s Statements. Filed September 11, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Stiner / Brown, State’s Exhibit and Witness List. Filed September 18, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: Judge rules on defense requests. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Elmore County District Court: Eric Brown, Arson and Grand Theft Case Docket. Filed September 20, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: Judge rules teens’ rights were violated. By E. Huston Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Sheriff says case still strong. By E. Huston Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Stiner / Brown, Order to Suppress Defendants’ Statements. Filed October 23, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown / Ronald Steiner, Order to Suppress. Filed October 23, 1995. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: Senate passes bill to rename building. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- House of Representatives Report 104-412: David J. Wheeler Federal Building. By Mr. Shuster, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Baker City Herald: ‘Wheeler Building’ bill to Clinton’s desk. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: President signs bill renaming federal building for Wheeler. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown, Defense Motion to Exclude Media. Filed March 8, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Brown/ Stiner, State Witness and Exhibit List. Filed March 12, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Brown/ Stiner, Pre-trial Conference. Filed March 13, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner, State’s Factual Basis for Guilty Plea. Filed March 13, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: Wheeler’s teen-age murderers plead guilty. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Teen-agers won’t face execution. By Charles Etlinger Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Observer: Teens’ guilty pleas bring relief to Wheeler’s friends, colleagues. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Yes, let them ponder. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown, Order for Psychological Evaluation. Filed March 20, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Fourth Judicial District of State of Idaho, Elmore County: Eric Brown, Arraignment. Filed March 21, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner, Order for Psychological Evaluation. Filed April 2, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Fourth Judicial District of State of Idaho, Elmore County: Eric Brown, Plea Agreement. Filed April 23, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Brown/Stiner, Sentencing. Filed May 7, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Idaho Statesman: Widow testifies at killers’ sentencing. By Elizabeth Ommachen Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Murder sentencing hearing under way. By Staff (The Argus Observer?) and Associated Press Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Associated Press via The Spokesman Review: Teen Killed To Become A Satanist Sentencing Hearing Continues for Boy Charged in Murder. By Staff.
- The Idaho Statesman: Prosecutor: Defendant needed to kill. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Family and friends testify about Stiner. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Psychologist says Stiner could be rehabilitated. By Angie Sillonis Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Brown says he is responsible for Wheeler’s murder. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Teen pair sentenced to life for Wheeler death. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Emotional hearing brings case to a close. By Chris Collins Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Teens sentence to 15, 30 to life for murder. By Staff and wire services Accessed via Newspapers.com
- The Idaho Statesman: Teens sentence; judge calls them coldblooded killers. By Staff and wired services Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Ronald Stiner, Judgment and Commitment. Filed May 21, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- District Court of the Third Judicial District of State of Idaho, Washington County: Eric Brown, Judgment and Commitment. Filed May 21, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- The Idaho Statesman: Prisoners with life sentence still have hope for parole. By Elizabeth Ommachen Accessed via Newspapers.com
- District Court of the Fourth Judicial District of State of Idaho, Elmore County: Eric Brown, Judgment of Conviction. Filed July 3, 1996. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Bonners Ferry Herald: Appeals court upholds lengthy sentence in FS employee slaying. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Washington County District Court: Ronald Stiner, Post Conviction Proceedings Docket. Filed March 13, 1998 Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Washington County District Court: Eric Brown, Post Conviction Proceedings Docket. Filed November 18, 1998 Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Baker City Herald: WHO IS IT NAMED FOR: In Memorial. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: David Wheeler 1945-1995. Father’s influence outlives tragedy. By Jayson Jacoby Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Baker City Herald: Park, building named in honor of local veterans. By Staff Accessed via Newspapers.com
- Wallowa County Chieftain: Move afoot to relocate footbridge. By Paul Wahl.
- Elmore County Magistrate Court: Ronald D. Stiner, Disturbing The Peace Case Docket. File. Filed May 21, 2020. Accessed May 27, 2025. Via PACER. Hard copy only, no direct link.
- Idaho Department of Correction: Eric Scott Brown Inmate Profile
- Idaho Department of Correction: Ronald Stiner Inmate Profile
- Baker City Herald: David J. Wheeler federal building in Baker City on list of properties that could be sold. By Jayson Jacoby.
