SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man named in the death of his grandfather has pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges, vacating his jury trial that was slated to occur later this month.  

Jeremiah Kiley, 30, pleaded guilty to the amended charge of voluntary manslaughter June 16 as part of a Rule 11 agreement, where both parties agreed to a punishment for the crime. Per the terms of the plea deal, Kiley will not be able to appeal the sentencing decision.  

The amended charge indicates that Kiley acted in the heat of passion, without malice or aforethought and premeditation. Documents indicated that the voluntary manslaughter charge was carried out by way of a deadly weapon, a hatchet.  

Prosecutor Louis Marshall is expected to recommend a sentence of 30 years in prison, 15 years fixed, 15 years indeterminate.  

If the court chooses to ignore the recommended sentence that was agreed upon by both parties, Kiley will be allowed to appeal against the decision.  

Due to the guilty plea, Kiley’s July 20 jury trial has been vacated, and his sentencing will take place Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m.  

Kiley was arrested Jan. 6 after law enforcement found his grandfather, Joseph Reyes, 70, deceased inside his residence in the Samuels area. Documents indicate that Kiley called police a day after the incident, claiming self-defense.     

Court documents indicate that during the 911 call, Kiley disclosed that Reyes had been “acting crazy” despite taking his medications, which resulted in him allegedly acting in self-defense and hitting Reyes in the head with a hatchet.   

During Kiley’s call, an additional call was received notifying authorities of Kiley’s alleged actions.   

Documents further contend that Kiley and Reyes had an altercation the evening of Jan. 5, where Kiley told law enforcement that Reyes had allegedly pointed a gun at him during a “schizophrenic episode.” Kiley told officials that he feared he would reach for more guns that were supposedly hidden throughout their shared residence and attacked Reyes out of self-defense, ultimately using the hatchet to “stop his suffering.”  

Officials noted in an affidavit that Kiley’s demeanor changed throughout the interview process, alternating between calm and aggressive.