SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man named in the death of his grandfather is set to appear in court March 12 for a continued preliminary hearing.  

Jeremiah Kiley, 29, will appear in court mid-March for a continued preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will present evidence to determine whether sufficient probable cause exists for the case to proceed to trial.   

Kiley is facing charges of second-degree murder for the death of his grandfather, Joseph Reyes, 69. Kiley is facing a prison sentence of at least 10 years. Kiley is currently being held at the Bonner County Jail on a $1 million bond.  

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

Bonner County Sheriff’s Office officials said the incident was isolated and at no time was the public in danger.  

Court documents indicate that officials became aware of the incident by way of a 911 call from Kiley, in which he disclosed that Reyes had been “acting crazy” despite taking his medications, which resulted in Kiley 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.