STAFF REPORTS

A man was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the attempted murder of a former Niles athlete and the murder of his wife.

Before a judge in Douglas County, Ore., Gabriel “Gabe” Riley was given his sentence after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of attempted aggravated murder.

The charges against Riley come after an incident that took place in March 2008. That was when Craig Riley, a graduate of Niles High School’s class of 1971 was attacked by Riley, the adopted son of he and his wife, Lindi.

Early one morning in March, Riley reportedly slashed the throat of his adoptive father, after Craig had awoken to find his adopted son allegedly acting strangely in his home.

Riley then went into his adoptive parents’ bedroom, bound and gagged Lindi and then proceeded to set the house on fire.

According to reports out of Sutherlin, Ore., where the family had lived, Lindi asphyxiated and died in the incident.

Left outside, Craig also suffered burns when Riley reportedly covered him with a tarp and set it on fire.

The former athlete, who broke several records during his high school career in football, basketball and track was able to get free, returning to the burning home to call 911.

Riley received life without parole for the murder of Lindi and an additional 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of Craig Riley.