Jury selection underway for man accused of murder in Idaho Falls parking lot
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IDAHO FALLS — Jury selection was underway Monday morning in the trial for a man accused of second-degree murder after a body was found behind a local gym.
Jake Eilander, 37, is scheduled for a two-week trial with District Judge Stevan Thompson. Jury selection is expected to last several hours before opening statements from the prosecution and defense teams.
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The investigation into Eilander started after Ulises Rangel, 44, was found shot to death behind Planet Fitness in Idaho Falls in late March.
Officers discovered Rangel’s body near a 1980 white Ford F350 owned by Eilander, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A single shell casing from a .45 Winchester pistol was discovered by the front of the truck with a trail of blood leading to Rangel’s body.
Police obtained video footage that showed an argument between Rangel and Eilander. Eilander was later found at an Idaho Falls residence, where officers discovered a loaded handgun with ammunition consistent with evidence found at the scene.
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He was arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail. His bond was set at $350,000 after Magistrate Judge Michelle Mallard mentioned during a court hearing that Eilander has two other felonies on his record from within the past two years.
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Eilander was charged with felony drug charges in August 2021 and March 2020. He was also arrested and charged with felony arson in September in Jefferson County, but Prosecuting Attorney Mark Taylor dropped the charge.
EastIdahoNews.com has a reporter in the courtroom and will post updates from the trial as it progresses.