Woman sentenced for killing husband

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A former Elmore County woman will spend at least three years in prison for the shooting death of her husband on Feb. 10 of this year.

Paige Ireland, 42, who pleaded guilty in August to killing her husband during a domestic dispute, was sentenced Oct. 16 by 3rd District Judge Juneal Kerrick to serve ten years in prison for involuntary manslaughter, with three years fixed.

Kerrick also retained jurisdiction in the case, a move that potentially could result in Ireland being released in fewer than three years if she completes counseling programs at the penitentiary.

The killing arose out of an argument at the couple's home in Caldwell. When her husband, Samuel Buford Ireland, 34, also formerly of Elmore County, apparently attempted to block her leaving the house, Paige Ireland told investigators that she picked up a .308 hunting rifle, which she thought was unloaded, and pointed it at him. To emphasize her point with him, she pulled the trigger. The weapon went off, striking Buford in the chest.

Ireland later passed a polygraph exam in which she stressed her belief the weapon was unloaded because she said she had checked the chamber. Before he died a week later in a Utah hospital, Samuel Ireland also said he believed the shooting was an accident, noting he had seen his wife check the chamber for a bullet and he also believed the gun was unloaded.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Regan Jameson, in closing remarks during the sentencing phase of the case last week, said that Ireland had no prior criminal history and "a lifetime of helping those in need."

He also told Judge Kerrick that Ireland was not a high risk to re-offend and isn't a danger to the community, but said that her "reckless action" resulted in the death of a human being and anything less than prison time would not reflect the seriousness of the crime.

"There has to be deterrence, because gun accidents are common, and they're inexcusable," Jameson argued.

Judge Kerrick agreed, saying, "The loss of human life due to reckless circumstances demands punishment."

Ireland expressed her remorse to the court and the crowd that attended her sentencing, accepting full responsibility for her husband's death.

As a lifelong hunter, she said, she should have known better and treated the weapon with more respect.

"I know that 'I'm sorry' is not enough," she said. "I can only live my life in a positive manner and help others in any way I can."

Ireland is the mother of three children.

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