Idaho Prosecutor Denies Misconduct Allegations in Compass Academy Shooting Case
Bonneville County Prosecutor Fires Back Against Defense Claims in Idaho Falls Shooting Case
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal is denying allegations of serious professional misconduct leveled by the defense attorney for one of the accused in the 2022 Compass Academy parking lot shooting, according to newly unsealed court documents and statements made to local media.
The allegations center on Aaron Murdoch, 22, who was indicted by a grand jury in March 2024 on a felony aggravated assault charge with a deadly weapon enhancement. Murdoch’s defense attorney, Mike Winchester, contends that Neal led Murdoch to believe he would not face charges if he spoke openly with prosecutors — and that Murdoch did exactly that, only to later be indicted.
According to the grand jury indictment, Murdoch allegedly attempted to shoot Taylor Aughenbaugh and/or another man “without intent to kill” during a confrontation in the Compass Academy school parking lot on Feb. 12, 2022. Murdoch was himself allegedly shot in the leg by Aughenbaugh during the incident.
Unsealed Documents Detail the Defense’s Claims Against the Prosecution
The motion to dismiss the case, filed by the defense on Sept. 22, was sealed until District Judge Jason Walker unsealed it on April 15 at the defense’s request, citing Murdoch’s Sixth Amendment right to an open and fair trial. Walker was assigned to the case in late January following the retirement of District Judge Dane Watkins Jr., who had previously kept the records sealed and denied earlier requests to unseal them.
Winchester accuses Neal of violating Rules 3.8 and 4.3 of the Idaho Professional Rules of Conduct — the framework governing the ethical and moral obligations of Idaho State Bar members. Rule 3.8 holds that a prosecutor acts “as a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate,” while Rule 4.3 prohibits attorneys from giving legal advice to unrepresented individuals when their interests may conflict with those of the attorney’s client.
The unsealed motion claims that before Murdoch received a grand jury subpoena, he was contacted by the prosecutor’s office and asked to meet with Neal. At that meeting, Murdoch says Neal told him, “There is nothing to charge you with except for maybe brandishing,” and handed him a list of attorneys while allegedly saying, “I have to give you this, but I don’t think you need an attorney.” The motion also states that a victim/witness coordinator was present and that Murdoch was provided with a victim rights pamphlet and crime victim’s compensation paperwork — suggesting he was being treated as a victim, not a target.
“At no point during the meeting did Neal mention that Murdoch was a target or that Neal intended to seek an indictment for aggravated assault,” the defense claims in the filing.
The defense also included a polygraph examination in the motion, in which Murdoch reportedly answered “yes” to questions about whether Neal made those statements. The polygraph reportedly found Murdoch was telling the truth. However, Neal subsequently filed a motion to strike the polygraph, which the court accepted — polygraph results are inadmissible under Idaho law.
Neal firmly denied the substance of the allegations in remarks reported by EastIdahoNews.com, but said legal counsel has advised him to wait until a forthcoming court hearing before responding in full. “Since assuming public office, it has always been my practice to be as open and transparent to the public as I am ethically allowed,” Neal said. “However, after consulting with general counsel for the Idaho State Bar specifically as it relates to the professional boundaries that apply in this situation, I have been advised to wait until the court hearing next month to respond to the hyperbolic accusations contained in the recently released court documents.”
Neal did confirm that a victim/witness coordinator was present during his meeting with Murdoch.
The defense has also filed a motion to disqualify Neal from the case, a development that adds further legal complexity to an already high-profile prosecution. For readers following other significant court proceedings in the region, a separate legal update covers new sentencing and courtroom camera developments in the Kouri Richins case and the Tyler Robinson case. Courts in Bonneville County have also recently dealt with a former elementary school teacher charged with 25 sex crimes involving two students, underscoring the range of serious criminal matters moving through Idaho’s judicial system.
What Comes Next
A court hearing is expected next month, at which point Prosecutor Randy Neal has indicated he will formally respond to the misconduct allegations. The court will also likely address the pending motion to disqualify Neal from the case. District Judge Jason Walker is presiding. The outcome of the misconduct motion could significantly affect whether the aggravated assault charges against Aaron Murdoch proceed to trial. Additional coverage of this case is available through Idaho News and the broader Idaho News Network.