Ex-Boundary Prosecutor Day succumbs

Randy Day, the longtime Boundary County prosecutor who led criminal investigations following the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff, died Thursday at the Bonners Ferry Hospital following an extended illness. He was 54.

Inside county lines, Day will be remembered as a powerful advocate for local causes, including a recent attempt by community leaders to purchase two closed sawmills, said Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell Kerby. “He never once balked at donating his legal experience anytime there was an issue where our community was potentially harmed.”

But Day gained a reputation that stretched far outside Idaho’s northernmost county with his work as a prosecutor during the standoff between federal agents and white separatist Randy Weaver. Day oversaw an exhaustive criminal investigation following the 11-day standoff. County investigators were able to find clues, including a critical missing bullet, that were missed by the FBI’s evidence-gathering team.

Day’s investigation lasted more than four years and prompted criticisms from some that Day was merely milking the juicy case to advance his legal career.

In a 1995 interview, Day scoffed at the notion.

“Career building is certainly not what motivates me,” he said.

“I look at this more as a curse. It’s rotten luck, something that happened on my watch.”

Day was born and raised in the county and had no intention of leaving, said Kerby, who grew up with Day.

Apart from practicing law, Day also loved to raise cattle and fish the Kootenai River.

“Once you get Kootenai River mud between your toes you never get that out of there,” Kerby said. “His heart was obviously with the community. He wanted the community to progress; he wanted the community to flourish.”

Day returned to his hometown to enter private practice after earning a law degree from the University of Idaho. A year later he was appointed county prosecutor, but left the post after one term. He also served two four-year terms as prosecutor beginning in 1988.

Day was voted out of office in 1996 after a tight race against deputy county prosecutor Denise Woodbury. The standoff investigation loomed large over the race – Day had not yet filed any criminal charges and Woodbury was pushing for a swifter resolution.

Less than a year after taking office, Woodbury filed charges against Weaver’s compatriot, Kevin Harris, as well as FBI sharpshooter Lon Horiuchi. The charges against both were eventually dismissed.

Current county prosecutor Jack Douglas said Day had a reputation for his hard work and honesty. The two faced off in court on numerous occasions in recent years.

“Randy was a formidable adversary,” Douglas said.

“He knew what he was doing. He was very good at speaking on his feet.”

County Magistrate Justin Julian said Day had a sharp legal mind and always appeared in court well-prepared.

He also is remembered for his commanding presence, Julian said. Many have compared Day with Perry Mason.

“He was just a big, all-American western guy,” Julian said.

“He had a big, loud booming voice and commanded a lot of respect inside and outside the courtroom.”

Funeral services for Day are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry.