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SANDPOINT — Local officials are expressing relief at the resolution of the 1987 killing of Tammy Rae Bristow.

William Rey Acosta entered an Alford plea to an amended charge of second-degree murder on Wednesday following mediation to resolve the 34-year-old case. Acosta was indicted by a Bonner County grand jury on a charge of first-degree murder in 2019, after he was linked to the killing through DNA evidence.

Bristow, 18, was found strangled in her south Sandpoint apartment. It's believed Bristow was slain during the commission of a robbery of money she had. Another suspect was initially arrested in the case, although there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charge.

While the nature of the plea in the case enables Acosta to maintain his innocence, that veil will be lifted when he is sentenced in 1st District Court on April 20.

"It's still a guilty verdict in the eyes of justice," said Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon.

Coon said he is grateful for the work done by officers and other officials at the time of Bristow's killing, although some have died since then. Former Chief Bill Kice died in 2009 and Det. Andy Anderson died in 2012. Former Bonner County Prosecutor Phil Robinson died in 2013.

Coon also tipped his hat to other officers who took up the case over the years. They include Det. Rob Dressel, Steve Feldhausen and Ralph Mavity. Detectives Mike Aerni and Skylar Ziegler inherited the case after it was reopened in 2016.

Coon said advancements in DNA analysis and reduced costs in such testing were crucial in the latest reopening of the case and the identification of Bristow's killer. The DNA evidence was collected from Bristow's fingernails.

"Really, one of the key factors was just that technology," said Coon.

Coon also believes the case never left the mind of former Coroner Dale Coffelt.

That belief is correct.

"Heck no. I could be stronger than that if you want," Coffelt said when asked if Bristow's killing ever faded from his memory. "It was always on my mind."

Coffelt said he places a flower at the grave of Bristow whenever he is in the cemetery where she was laid to rest.

Coffelt recalled that Bristow's murder shook the community. He remembers Bristow as a respected, hardworking young woman who was just starting her adult life.

"She was a friend to everybody and that's probably what got her into trouble," Coffelt added.

Efforts to reach members of Bristow's family were not successful, although Coon said they are pleased at receiving some closure with Acosta's plea. Coon is also relieved family members won't be subjected to the rigors of a trial and post-conviction proceedings.

"Having a guilty plea through mediation alleviates that stress of not only going to trial but then having to come back and live through all the appeals," Coon said.

Between the DNA evidence and incriminating statements that Acosta made in telephone calls recorded at the Bonner County Jail, Coon said a conviction in the case was the most likely outcome if Acosta was tried.

"I just want to say what an honor it has been to give some peace to the family after all these years," said Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall.

"Obviously, when you have a case this old there are factors that make prosecution tougher, such as both investigators having passed, witnesses whose memories have faded and, in this case, a third party who was the chief suspect for over 25 years," Marshall added.

Marshall said he will be seeking a life sentence with a fixed term of 20 years, which he expects will foreclose Acosta's ability to seek endless appeals. Acosta is 51.

"Tammy was a sweet and wonderful girl who should be in the prime of her life right now, enjoying her own kids and maybe even grandkids. Her life was ended in a cruel and senseless fashion by a young man who then let another innocent man sit in jail for almost a year. It is time now for Bill Acosta to pay for his crime," Marshall said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.