Tom Coles is an exemplary man. He is uncommon amongst the uncommon. Most of us have had the privilege of knowing someone who lived a life of extreme integrity and virtue. Anyone who knows Tom shares that privilege. Tom is 79 years young, one of 10 siblings, a faithful and loving husband of 48 years, an honorable father of three, a thankful grandfather, a Vietnam Veteran and an Idaho resident. He attended both LeTourneau University and Grand Rapids Bible School, and has dedicated the majority of his life to the service of others. At 55 years of age, after decades of working in the construction business, Tom and his wife sold everything and moved to Mexico to follow their calling toward full-time missionary service. For nearly a decade, these two souls lived and worked among those that needed the most from them. They poured everything they had into building homes for the homeless, constructing orphanages for the orphaned, and feeding the hungry and the forgotten. When others were chasing security and luxury, they were giving it all up in favor of something much more meaningful. Tom is honest, genuine, trustworthy, reliable, ethical, and simply put, he’s a rock solid example of a great human being. But if you know him, then you already know all of this.
Why does this matter?
On the evening of July 29th 2024, while at his daughter’s house in Garden Valley, Idaho, Tom was outside, in their neighborhood, collecting dead tree branches for a home art project. Tom was within the common area of the subdivision when he was approached by two unknown aggressors in a vehicle, threatened with a pistol to his face, verbally attacked, physically beaten in the head and ribs, bloodied in the face and neck, knocked to the ground, and left lying there on the side of the road. They then photographed him lying there and drove off. Tom made his way back to his daughter’s house where they called 911. Tom was taken to local urgent care, diagnosed with a concussion and what appeared to be two cracked ribs. Given the time of night, and the significant driving distance to the nearest hospital, he was returned to the house to rest and heal for a bit. The next morning, he was taken to the V.A. Hospital in Boise where he underwent x-rays, CT scans, and related evaluations to determine the full extent of his injuries, which are significant. On top of this, Tom is presently dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis as well as ongoing complications with AFib. This sort of inexcusable brutality could have ended his life. Meanwhile, the night of the attack, the officer was able to locate and interview these two people. The assailant, named Mark C. Weidner, clearly decades younger than Tom, is a neighbor who admitted to the officer that he had indeed committed the assault, as accused, before driving off without rendering aid. The officer told Tom’s family that this assailant also admitted to using the pistol during the assault, and Tom and his family are confident that both the written reports and the body cam footage will confirm this very important detail. However, despite the admission, and for reasons unknown, the officer chose not arrest the assailant that night. Furthermore, as of late October 2024, no arrest was ever made and the charges filed against this assailant are no more than simple misdemeanors.
How can someone get away with this?
Problem One: The assailant claims that he was hit first, in the face, with a fist, by Tom Coles. If you’re reading this and you know Tom, you’re undoubtedly experiencing some degree of internal rage at the absurdity of this foolish accusation. Tom did get a hit in – anyone as tough as him would – but only well after he was first assaulted. Tom says this is what happened, and that’s that.
Problem Two: These law enforcement officers do not know Tom, and as such, it’s just one person’s story against another’s. We trust that they are doing their best with what they have.
Problem Three: The charges filed are simple assault and battery. Anyone with even the shortest exposure to the law surrounding assault and battery charges will know that the careless and intentional use of the firearm, during this aggressive and potentially fatal assault, objectively requires that this be escalated to “aggravated assault”, if not all the way to “aggravated battery”. It is shameful to think that misdemeanor charges are appropriate for this sort of sick brutality.
What’s next?
Tom deserves better than to have his word questioned. To believe that he struck this aggressor first is unconscionable. As we patiently await the trial date in this matter, we encourage you to reach out to us via the email address at the bottom and/or to the named individuals below with any questions or comments. All we want is JUSTICE for TOM. If you can help in any way, or want more information about this brutal attack, please contact us.
Please keep any correspondence simple, clean and civil as we work to support this honorable man who is as deserving as can be of our thoughtful time and efforts, and let’s trust that they’ll get this one right in the end. Thank you all and God Bless. And to those officers who may read this: We greatly respect you and we are sincerely thankful for your efforts in protecting our communities. We proudly Back the Blue.
Boise County Prosecuting Attorney – [email protected]
Boise County Sheriff – [email protected]
Boise County Chief Deputy – [email protected]
