An 85-year-old Idaho mother who shot and killed a house invader performed a “justifiable homicide” that is “one of the most heroic acts of self-preservation I have heard of,” Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jolley claimed in an event assessment.
Derek Condon, 39, entered Christine Jenneiahn’s home, where she lives with her disabled son, at about 2 a.m. on March 13. Condon was “dressed in a military jacket, black ski mask, and pointing a gun and flashlight” at Jenneiahn, according to the report.
According to Jolley, Condon shackled Jenneiahn and led her into her home’s living room, where he held her at gunpoint and handcuffed her to a wooden chair.
Condon allegedly placed his weapon on the victim’s head after demanding to know where the valuables were kept in the house and she told him she didn’t have anything. Jenneiahn then informed the home intruder about two safes downstairs, and the prosecutor claims he left her chained in the living room while rummaging around the house.
Condon reportedly became enraged when he discovered Jenneiahn’s son was in the house and she did not inform him. The guy is claimed to have repeatedly threatened to kill Jenneiahn.
“At one point while Condon was downstairs, Christine drug the chair she was handcuffed to into her bedroom, and retrieved her 357 magnum revolver from under her pillow,” Jolley reported in an email. “She then went back into the living room and hid the revolver between the armrest and cushion of a couch next to where she was seated and waited to see what Condon did next.”
The victim’s memory “remains somewhat unclear” about what transpired next, according to the prosecutor’s statement, but at some time, she decided it was “now or never,” pulled her gun, and shot Condon twice.
“Condon returned fire and emptied a 9mm pistol into Christine striking her multiple times in her abdomen, leg, arm and chest,” according to the report. “Condon then went into the adjoining kitchen where he died from his wounds.”
Jenneiahn fell to the floor while still shackled and remained there for approximately 10 hours before her son discovered her and gave her a phone to contact 911. Deputies arrived around 12:17 p.m. and administered lifesaving measures.
Investigators discovered a shattered rear window at the house, as well as a screwdriver near the entrance through which Condon entered. His car was also discovered near the property, with footprints leading from the vehicle to the house.
“Condon had on his person a lock pick set, his car key, a handcuff key, and a bag containing items he had stolen from the residence,” Jolley stated in a review of the case.
He stated that the case “presents an easy analysis of self-defense and justifiable homicide,” and that Jenneiahn’s “grit, determination, and will to live appear to be what saved her that night.”
If Condon had survived, Jolley said he would have prosecuted him with several offenses, including attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, aggravated violence, and grand theft.