Murder Charge Dropped Yakima Man To Be Released From Jail Soon

A man arrested for a fatal shooting in Mabton last year has plead guilty to lesser charges and is set to be released from jail. Yakima County Sheriff's Deputies say they were called to the 5300 block of Sunnyside Mabton Road July 17 of last year where they found a 30-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound.

THE SHOOTING WAS REPORTED ON JULY 17 OF LAST YEAR

An investigation found 30-year-old Mathew Rand of Grandview entered a home and was confronted by the  homeowner, 47-year-old Jon Ray Bonewell. He than grabbed a shotgun and he and Rand stepped outside where a confrontation started. They say Bonewell then shot Rand after Rand refused to drop his gun.

PROSECUTORS SAY BONEWELL SHOT IN SELF DEFENSE

Now prosecutors say, based on new evidence that Bonewell was defending himself at the time of the shooting.
On Monday Bonewell pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and first-degree trafficking in stolen property charges. As a result prosecutors dropped the second-degree murder charge.

SENTENCED BUT CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED

A judge gave Bonewell an 8 month sentence on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and and 12 months for selling stolen property. The sentences will run concurrently with credit for time served. Bonewell was arrested in July of last year.

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