86-Year-Old Fugitive Arrested In 40-Year-Old Murder Case

Police have finally arrested a fugitive related to a 40-year-old murder case in Idaho. Walter James Mason, now 86, had shot Daniel Mason Woolley at Sport's Club bar in Clayton, Idaho, on Sep. 22, 1980.

Custer County Sheriff’s officers had arrived at the bar to find Woolley with a gunshot to the head. Another man had been shot in the shoulder and a woman had suffered "blunt force to her face," the police said.

Mason, a then resident of the area, was identified as the primary suspect. The Custer County Sheriff's Office, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the FBI tried catching Mason, but failed.

The arrest was made on Oct. 10 and the fingerprints were a match, the police said. Mason was living in central Texas under the current alias and was discovered by East County Sheriff's Office.

On the night of the shot, Mason was reportedly seen verbally and physically assaulting a woman, believed to be his wife. He was escorted out by Woolley, Robert Sweeney and his son. The men got into a scuffle outside the bar.

Mason then allegedly collected two pistols and shot Woolley on the right side of his head. He went back to the bar and fired 5-6 more shots, one of which hit Sweeney in the shoulder. Sweeney and his son were able to snatch the gun and toss it behind the counter. Mason left the scene and hadn’t been seen in Idaho for 40 years since.

Mason is now awaiting trial for first-degree murder and has reportedly pleaded not guilty.