Jerome women face murder charges in the killing of an elderly man

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) – Two Jerome women are facing murder charges for their alleged involvement in the death of an elderly man.

Jessica Bohr and Samantha Herrin are charged with first-degree murder, and Herrin is also charged with attempted murder and accessory after the fact.

According to court documents, on June 24, 2024, Jerome police responded to a battery call at a home on Fifth Avenue West. Police reportedly observed Merlin Leavitt with blood on his face and head and there was blood on the floor, furniture and other items in the living room. Leavitt told police that Bohr and Herrin were responsible for the alleged attack.

Leavitt was transported to Saint Alphonsus in Boise, where he was diagnosed with skull fractures and broken ribs and was in a medically induced coma, according to court documents. Leavitt was eventually transported to Bennett Hills Rehabilitation and Care Center in Gooding.

On July 31, Leavitt spoke to police at the care center and stated that the women woke him up by hitting him in the head; According to court documents, they used fists and a hammer. Herrin was Leavitt's property manager and was planning to take over his property until a dispute broke out days before the alleged attack.

He told police that the motivation behind the incident was financial because Herrin would benefit from his death, according to court documents. Leavitt died on August 16th. A doctor performed an autopsy on Leavitt's body on August 22 and determined that the death was caused by complications from blunt force trauma to the head and torso.

Herrin and Bohr have scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. Herrin is being held without bail, while Bohr's bond is set at $350,000.

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