WILLIAM “BILL” SCHWARTZ
Shooting in St. John claims the life of Bill Schwartz; former wife charged with first degree murder
Longtime Malad Valley resident William “Bill” Schwartz, 51, was shot to death Thursday, August 17, in his home in St. John. Charged in the death is Linda Elaine Schwartz, 50, his former wife recently of St. John. Ms. Schwartz was arraigned in Pocatello Friday, August 18, before Sixth District Magistrate Judge David L. Evans, charged with Murder in the First Degree. At her arraignment, she was assigned a public defender, George Southworth, but entered no plea at that time. A Preliminary Hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. at the Oneida County Courthouse on August 25. The suspect is being held at the Bannock County Jail. Bail was denied during her first court appearance.
According to Sheriff Jeff Semrad, an Oneida dispatcher was notified at 1:18 a.m. Friday by the Pocatello Police Department of a possible homicide at 1838 West 1500 North, in Oneida County. Sheriff Semrad responded along with officers Steve Stocks, Troy Estep and an EMT backup crew.
The sheriff said he first saw Mr. Schwartz through the window and thought he might be sleeping. However, when there was no response to banging at the door, officers broke down the door to gain entry. Mr. Schwartz was found dead in the living room. An autopsy, completed Saturday evening at Bannock Regional Hospital, confirmed the victim died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head from a small caliber firearm.
Sheriff Semrad said, the investigation to this point indicates that Schwartz was killed sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Linda Schwartz walked into the Pocatello Police Department after midnight on August 18, Prosecuting Attorney Stevin Brooks said. She was accompanied into the police department by her daughter, a resident of Pocatello.
The Sheriff’s Department obtained a search warrant for Ms. Schwartz’s car to recover the firearm suspected of being used in the homicide. The car was parked in the parking lot at the Pocatello Police Department. The weapon has been sent to a forensics lab for ballistics and other testing.
A joint investigation between the Oneida Sheriff’s Department, Pocatello Police and Idaho State Police is only about halfway complete, Sheriff Semrad said Monday. He said the Sheriff’s Department is conducting the main body of the investigation, while ISP has helped with forensics, processing the scene and collecting evidence.
Murder in the First Degree carries with it a maximum punishment of death. Oneida Prosecutor Brooks said his office has made no decision yet on whether the death penalty will be sought. “There are a lot of factors that have to be considered before we get to that point,” he said, “but I believe we can prove the elements we have to have.”
William Schwartz and Linda Elaine Fortner were married on June 14, 1986 and divorced in 1999. Sources say that it is believed Ms. Schwartz moved back into the St. John residence about a month ago. The Sheriff said there have been no reports of domestic violence made from the Schwartz residence during that time.
The Sheriff’s Department is looking for anyone who may have seen the victim or the suspect anytime from Thursday, August 10, to Thursday, August 17. This information should include time and location and should be reported immediately to Sgt. Steve Stocks or Sheriff Semrad, at (208) 766-2251.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ SCHWARTZ
Ivan William Schwartz, Jr. (Bill), 51, of Malad, Idaho, died Thursday, August 17, 2000, in his home in St. John. He was born April 12, 1949, the fourth child of Ivan William and Cleo Davis Schwartz. He was raised on the farm in St. John and educated in Malad schools – graduating from Malad High School in 1968. Later he attended Denver Automotive and Diesel College, proudly graduating second in his class.
Bill married Debra Willie in the St. John Church house on August 18, 1967. Having lived in Hyrum Wellsville, and Brigham City, Utah, they built a home next to the family farm in March of 1971. Bill and Deb had three beautiful daughters – Julie, Jennifer, and Janet. They were divorced in 1982.
He married Linda Elaine Fortner on June 14, 1986. They had one son, Ivan Scott. They divorced in 1999
Although Bill worked on the farm for the majority of his life, he also held jobs at Big “C” Flour, and EA Miller Pack. After receiving his degree in diesel mechanics he worked at Scott’s Service, Hansen Chevrolet, and Thiokol. Bill was the M.V.1 watermaster for the past few years, a job he held at the time of his death.
He enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and flying gas-powered airplanes. He loved his family, especially his children. His mischievous chuckle and grin will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends. His tragic death leaves an abysmal hole in many lives.
He is survived by his four children; Mrs. Troy (Julie) Estep, Malad; Mrs. Don (Jennifer) Phillips, West Jordan, Utah; Ms. Janet Powers, West Jordan, Utah; and his son, Ivan Scott Schwartz, Malad. He is mourned by his stepchildren: Amie Brinn, Connie Daniels, and Laura Hokanson, Pocatello, Idaho; siblings: Mrs. Joseph (Carolyn) Barnes, Malad; Mrs. Terry (JaNae) Wood, Casper, Wyoming; Delon Schwartz, Malad; Kevin (Kathy) Schwartz, Gillette, Wyoming; Mrs. John (Ann) Wimp, Casper, Wyoming; and Jean Schwartz, Malad; five grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 23, at noon at the St. John L.D.S. Chapel, 300 W. 400 N. Malad, Idaho. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery.
Psychological evaluation ordered for murder suspect
Appearing before Sixth District Magistrate Judge David L. Evans on August 24 in Malad, murder suspect Linda Elaine Schwartz waived her right to a Preliminary Hearing within 14 days of her arrest and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Schwartz was arrested August 18 and charged with first degree murder in the death of her former husband, William (Bill) Schwartz, of St. John. Mr. Schwartz was shot to death in his home on August 17.
George Southworth, Ms. Schwartz’s court appointed defense attorney, filed a court motion for psychiatric evaluation on the grounds that the defense counsel has concerns about his client’s mental condition, and that an examination of the defendant is necessary to determine her capacity to proceed.
The suspect will be evaluated by Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler, of Pocatello. Oneida County will pay for the doctor’s services. Further court proceedings will await the outcome of the evaluation.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Jeff Semrad reported that autopsy reports confirmed that William Schwartz died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Police recovered the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting from a vehicle owned by the suspect. This weapon was sent to forensics for fingerprint and ballistics testing.
After receiving several tips from the general public, the Sheriff’s Department obtained a second search warrant on August 24 to search the murder scene again. Authorities continue to ask the public for information. Anyone who may have come in contact with either the suspect or the victim in recent weeks is asked to notify the Sheriff’s Department.
Linda Schwartz is being held in the Bannock county Jail without bail.
Linda Schwartz is found competent to stand trial for first degree murder
Linda Elaine Schwartz has been found competent to stand trial for the death of her former husband William (Bill) Schwartz who was found shot to death in his St. John home on August 18. She is charged with first degree murder.
Appearing before Sixth District Magistrate Judge David L. Evans on August 24 in Malad, Linda Schwartz waived her right to a preliminary hearing within 14 days of her arrest and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after her court appointed attorney, George Southworth, cited concerns about his client’s mental condition.
Oneida Prosecutor Stevin Brooks received the psychiatric report regarding Schwartz last week. A preliminary hearing has now been set for Thursday, November 30, before Judge Evans in Malad. If sufficient evidence for the charge is found, the case will be turned over to the District Court, to be heard before Judge Randy Smith.
Ms. Schwartz continues to be held without bail in the Bannock County Jail.
Judge Smith orders change of venue for murder trial
Linda Elaine Schwartz, accused of killing her former husband, will stand trial at the Bannock County Courthouse, rather than at the Oneida Courthouse.
During District Court proceedings January 16, Sixth District Judge Randy Smith granted a defense request for a change of venue. There were no objections from the State.
Linda Schwartz’s first-degree murder trial will be conducted in Judge Smith’s court in Bannock County beginning March 20. She is accused of shooting to death William “Bill” Schwartz in his St. John home on August 18.
During the January 16 proceeding, Judge Smith ordered Defense Attorney George Southworth to inform the state by January 23 of whether or not he plans to use an alibi defense. Southworth was also ordered to respond to the State’s request for findings of a mental evaluation Dr. Craig Beaver conducted on Schwartz. Dr. Beaver is a Boise psychiatrist.
Judge Smith granted the State the right to conduct its own mental evaluation of the defendant, using its own expert.
Schwartz continues to be held in the Bannock County Jail in Pocatello
Malad woman will face first-degree murder charges
Police say she shot her ex-husband six times
By Kurt Friedemann Journal Writer
POCATELLO – Linda Schwartz reportedly told police she shot her ex-husband in the head six times while he lay peacefully sleeping on the family couch.
That was enough for Magistrate Judge David L. Evans to bind Schwartz over to district court Thursday. Schwartz’s district court arraignment was set for Dec. 8 and she was held without bond until that date.
Pocatello Police Sgt. Kenneth Lin testified in Schwartz’s preliminary hearing Thursday morning that the Malad woman came into the Pocatello Police station around 1 a.m. on Aug. 18 with her daughter Laura Hokanson.
“Ms. Schwartz’s told me that she wanted to talk to me because she had shot someone in Malad”, Lin said told Oneida County Prosecutor Steve Brooks. “She told me that the weapon was in her vehicle, parked outside the station.”
Schwartz, 50, 1838 West, 1500 North, Malad, was charged in August with first-degree murder after Malad resident William Schwartz was found dead in his home.
The preliminary hearing was postponed until this week when Magistrate, Judge David L. Evans granted a defense request that Schwartz undergo a psychological evaluation. The evaluation, recently completed, declared her competent for trial.
Lin’s testimony also revealed that it was his department’s call to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office which alerted Oneida County deputies to a problem at the Schwartz home.
While deputies were checking on William Schwartz, a cursory investigation of Schwartz’s 1984 maroon Pontiac Grand Am did not turn up a weapon, Lin said. But a second search revealed a single-action 22 caliber revolver hidden in the car’s trunk. Oneida County deputies told Pocatello police they found Schwartz’s body and Linda Schwartz was then arrested and read her Miranda rights. She immediately requested an attorney, Lin said.
Further testimony by Oneida County Sheriff Jeff Semrad and Oneida County Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Stocks revealed that William Schwartz had been shot six times in the head and face while he lay on the couch. Stocks testified that the autopsy showed the shots were fired at close range.
Semrad also described he and his deputies discovery of Schwartz’s body.
In closing arguments Brooks told the court that six shots in the head with a single action pistol suggested that Schwartz knew what she was doing had planned to shoot her ex-husband until she was sure he was dead.
“She must have known that her small-caliber hand gun would not kill him immediately,” Brooks said. “She knew she needed to sneak up while he was sleeping to shoot him.”
Schwartz’s defense council, George Southworth, told the court that no evidence had been presented which proved Schwartz had displayed premeditation to the extent that she snuck up on her ex-husband to shoot him.
“The state has not proven that Mr. Schwartz was asleep,” he said.
Kurt Friedemann covers law enforcement and courts for the Journal. He can be reached at 239-3128, or e-mail at kfried@journalnet.com
Linda Schwartz pleads guilty to second degree murder charge
Linda Elaine Schwartz entered a plea of guilty to second degree murder during an appearance Monday before Sixth District Judge Randy Smith in Pocatello.
Schwartz, a 51-year-old Malad resident, had been charged with first degree murder in the August 17, 2000, death of her former husband, Ivan William Schwartz, Jr. of St. John. Judge Smith has ordered a pre-sentence report. Schwartz will remain in custody in the Bannock County Jail pending her sentencing hearing.
Oneida County prosecuting Attorney Stevin Brooks requested the assistance of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit. Deputy Attorney General Mark Mimura assisted in the prosecution of the case. Ms. Schwartz is being represented by Defense Counsel George Southworth.