Man sentenced to rider for role in covering up murder of Ririe father
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SWAN VALLEY — A man was sentenced on Monday for his role in the murder of a 36-year-old father.
District Judge Michael Whyte sentenced William James Burton Jr. to two years fixed and a maximum of five years in prison.
The victim, Morey Pelton, was found deceased on May 13, 2022, at the Lane Clark Rest Area along U.S. Highway 26 between Ririe and Swan Valley.
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William James Burton was initially charged and pleaded not guilty to felony accessory for willfully withholding or concealing knowledge of a felony from a peace officer, judge, or jury.
In May, Burton signed a plea agreement, agreeing to plead guilty to the charge in exchange for both parties recommending a rider program at sentencing.
The court then suspended his sentence and placed him on a one-year retained jurisdiction, or a “rider”.
In a rider program, a judge sends a person to a prison treatment center for a year. When the inmate completes the program, the judge can decide to send them back to prison to serve their sentence or release them on probation.
Burton will also be required to pay at least $1,000 on fines.
Background
In January 2025, Randy Michael Larkin, 63, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of Pelton.
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Gerald Hamlin, 63, was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for felony accessory.
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According to court documents, Burton, also known as “Billy Buckskin”, initially told detectives he was not with Larkin and Hamlin on the night of the murder.
Later, he admitted to being in the car at the time of the murder.
The sentencing
During the sentencing, Pelton’s father, Martin Pelton, provided a victim impact statement, describing the pain and trauma he has experienced over the last four years since his son was murdered.
“The profound emotional distress I’ve experienced over the years has become intolerable,” said Pelton. “He was my only son … the closest companion. We shared countless hours of hunting, fishing, and cherishing life together. Despite his challenges, any prospect for him to enhance his life has been extinguished.”
Pelton spoke about his grandson, who will now grow up without a father.
“His son will be deprived of the opportunity to know his father,” said Pelton. “His son will never witness his smile, learn to fish or hunt from him, or share the love of the mountains and the rivers that he held so dear.”
Bonneville Prosecutor Randy Neal provided comments on the case before recommending a rider program with a suspended sentence of a minimum of two and a maximum of five years in prison, saying that he does not believe Burton understands the seriousness of his role in the murder.
“What strikes me in the pre-sentence investigation is just kind of a nonchalance toward the severity of this crime, as if it would have been the same if he had lied about his buddy stealing chocolates from the local grocery store,” said Neal. “He covered for the killer. And, in doing so, he delayed the apprehension of (Larkin). All of those things were controllable. Those were all within the control of Mr. Burton.”
Burton’s defense attorney, Curtis Smith, also provided an argument before recommending a rider program, claiming that his client was drunk and did not know where they were going before the murder occurred.
“There are some differences between these defendants. One had control of a car to literally drive there, and drive away. One had a gun and is the one that committed the murder,” said Smith. “My client’s in the backseat. And by every bit of testimony that I can see that night, it’s very clear that my client had been at the bar drinking. He had no idea where they were going.”
Burton then spoke to the court and to Pelton’s family, apologizing for his actions that night.
“I’m so sorry for the family’s loss and everything. Like I said, I knew Morey was a good kid,” said Burton. “I can’t express how bad I feel about it. It makes me sick every time I think about it.”
Whyte then announced his ruling, explaining the severity of the crime.
“You are here because you withheld information. You’re not here as an accessory because of participation, other than being in the car. Some may say that’s wrong time, wrong place,” said Whyte. “The problem was that when approached by law enforcement, you didn’t come clean. (And) caused additional resources, additional looking, until you ultimately provided more complete information.”
Whyte then told Burton that his actions irreparably harmed not only Morey, but his family and friends.
“Nothing that anybody says is going to close a wound, nothing that anybody says is going to make the healing process fast, certainly,” said Whyte. “However, for the victim’s family, they might have been able to walk the path of the healing process a little bit quicker had you been more forthcoming at the beginning with what you know about Mr. Larkin’s involvement.”