Rexburg man accused of home invasion murder pleads guilty
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REXBURG — A 20-year-old Rexburg man has admitted to killing 65-year-old Ralph Brian of Rexburg and attempting to murder Brian’s wife, Karen.
Pierre Lake appeared in court Thursday and pleaded guilty to felony first-degree murder and felony first-degree attempted murder.
Lake had initially pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, burglary, and grand theft following an indictment on Oct. 28, 2021. But he opted to change his plea as part of an agreement with Madison County prosecutors.
According to the plea agreement, Lake agreed to plead guilty to the first two charges, and he agreed to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison with credit for time served. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to drop the charges of felony burglary and felony grand theft.
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The agreement is binding, meaning District Judge Steven Boyce cannot change the sentence if he accepts it. If Boyce chooses not to accept the agreement, Lake can withdraw his guilty plea.
During the hearing, Lake sat motionless in his seat, and didn’t turn around to look at the victims or victim’s family.
When asked by Boyce if he murdered Ralph Brian by shooting him with a firearm, Lake responded, “I did.”
When asked by Boyce if he attempted to murder Karen Brian by stabbing her “in the face, neck, and arm with a knife,” Lake responded, “I did.”
Boyce scheduled Lake’s sentencing for Jan 29. 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Background of the case
Lake allegedly shot Ralph Brian, in the head and stabbed Karen Brian multiple times during a September 2021 home invasion in Madison County.
Karen survived the attack, but Ralph died a few days later.
Lake reportedly told his brother before the shooting he was going “to go ‘cap’ somebody,” according to court documents.
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The day after the incident, investigators found Lake at his Jefferson County home and took him into custody.
He told investigators he went into the Brian’s home and attacked Karen with a knife, stabbing her multiple times and shooting Ralph “point-blank” with Brian’s own revolver, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Court documents do not indicate a motive for the crime or whether Lake knew the Brians.