COEUR d'ALENE - Bail was set at $2 million for an attempted murder charge that could be changed after Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore died Tuesday evening.

Jonathan D. Renfro, 26, of Rathdrum, was charged with five felony counts during his first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon. He faces first-degree attempted murder of a police officer, grand theft of a police vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and removing a firearm from a police officer.

If convicted, Renfro will also face enhanced charges of using a firearm in the commission of a crime and enhanced charges for being a persistent violator.

Judge James Stow said the five felony charges combined carry a maximum sentence of 53 years, and the firearm enhancement could add up to 15 more years. The persistent violator enhancement carries as long as life in prison.

After Renfro was appointed a public defender, Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh asked the judge to set bail at $2 million.

"We are talking about a collection of crimes that have up to life in prison," he said, "obviously one of the most serious potential penalties in Idaho law."

McHugh said it was a violent, unprovoked attack. He said Renfro left the scene with the officer lying in the street and then proceeded to destroy evidence.

The prosecutor also said Renfro made a series of admissions backed by physical evidence, which could make his prosecution more likely, and because of that he is a flight risk.

McHugh said Renfro's criminal history is also a cause for concern with at least two other felonies and lengthy juvenile criminal history dating back to 2004.

"In order to protect the public, the bail that we requested is appropriate," he said. "Secondarily, in order to assure this defendant's appearance, a high bail is also appropriate - given the flight in this matter, given the prior assault on an officer, you can see that this defendant is not only willing to flee but also willing to injure people in his efforts to escape responsibility."

Renfro's court appointed public defender, Maily Walsh, did not object to the amount of bail.

Judge Stow agreed with McHugh, saying the $2 million bail was appropriate.

A tainted past

Renfro's criminal history goes back at least 10 years to when was 16 years old. He was in and out of jail at least 16 times for crimes ranging from petit theft to felony grand theft.

Renfro started to get into serious trouble in 2008, when he stole a motorcycle from a garage on Sundown Drive. He was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison, but that was suspended if Renfro could complete two years of supervised probation.

Renfro did not complete that probation.

In October 2008, Renfro and another man, Paul Best, were arrested in Reno, Nev., for stealing a car. According to a Washoe County Sheriff's report, Best told deputies that Renfro stole a BMW from his employer when Best was with him.

The two allegedly drove the BMW to the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Casino, where they were spotted by a tribal police officer. Best told the Washoe County deputies that they were able to outrun the tribal police and eventually ditched the BMW and stole a Chevy Beretta.

The report said Best told police they drove the Beretta to Moscow and ran out of gas, so they allegedly stole a Subaru Impreza, which they drove to Reno.

After Nevada police arrested the men, Renfro's probation was revoked and they were extradited back to Latah County to face grand theft charges.

From Nov. 17 to Dec. 4 that year, Latah County prosecutors claimed the two devised a strategy to escape from jail, according to court documents.

According to those charging documents, Renfro and Best made their move after an arraignment hearing when a jailer attempted to handcuff Renfro to transport him back to jail.

Renfro kicked the jailer in the knee and attempted to get free from the officer, the documents say. The jailer eventually wrestled Renfro to the ground, while Best made a run for it. Neither of them escaped, and both were charged with conspiring to escape. Renfro was convicted for battering an officer.

He was sentenced to six years in prison with two years fixed. Renfro was in prison from 2009 to 2014 and was released last July. Between then and Tuesday, Renfro had only been cited for failure to provide automobile insurance.