Man changes plea to guilty after murdering inmate

Robert David Pompa, 27 | Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com
REXBURG – A man has changed his plea to guilty for murdering an inmate in the Madison County Jail in October 2021.
Robert David Pompa, 27, was originally charged with murder in the first degree, and he initially pleaded not guilty.
On Thursday, as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Pompa agreed to plead guilty to the charge if it was amended to second-degree murder.
According to the agreement, Pompa also agreed to a sentence of 25 years fixed and an indeterminate sentence of life in prison.
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Pompa was indicted on the charges after beating 62-year-old Eddie Blanie Stacey to death with his fist in October 2021 at the Madison County Jail.
Court records show Stacey died while serving a 90-day sentence for misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
Before the murder, Pompa had been in jail awaiting sentencing on a federal felony charge of possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Pompa’s criminal history also includes an incident at the Bannock County Jail in June 2020, where he attacked an inmate because he claimed the man was a “cho-mo,” a term used in jails and prisons for child molesters.
RELATED | Documents reveal suspect in jailhouse death has history of violent jail beatings
Pompa was also charged with felony battery on a correctional officer in February after he attacked a deputy who was assisting with his medical care.
Court documents show a deputy was giving Pompa his medication when Pompa suddenly turned and began to strike the deputy repeatedly. After wrestling on the ground for a short time, the deputy was able to gain control of the situation, and two more deputies came into the room to “fully restrain Pompa.” He was placed into a holding cell.
On Thursday, Pompa changed his plea to guilty for the battery charge as well. According to the plea agreement, Pomp agreed to a sentence of two years for the battery charge.
Pompa’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct 24.
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Source: eastidahonews.com