John Allen Mast Case: Custody Fight, Shooting, and Verdicts

The John Allen Mast case involves a 40-year-old North Dakota father who was shot and killed on February 5, 2021, in the parking lot of a Rosauers grocery store in Lewiston, Idaho, by his former father-in-law, James Robert Brashear, on the same day Mast was scheduled to begin court-ordered unsupervised visits with his two children. Brashear was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2023 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. In 2025, a civil jury found Brashear and his daughter, Rebecca Brashear-Mast, liable for Mast’s wrongful death and awarded $6.25 million in damages.¹

The Custody Fight That Preceded the Killing

John Mast and Rebecca Brashear-Mast lived in Williston, North Dakota, with their two children until Rebecca separated from him in October 2017 and moved with the children to Winchester, Idaho, near her father. In December 2017, she filed for a domestic violence protection order against Mast, and a formal custody dispute opened in Williams County, North Dakota, in January 2018. It lasted roughly three years.²

During the case, James Brashear accused Mast of sexually abusing the children. No criminal charges were filed based on those allegations. In May 2020, Williams County District Court Judge Josh Rustad ruled that “there was no evidence Mast abused neither his wife nor children” and granted Mast unsupervised visitation every other weekend, with the first visit set for February 5, 2021.²

Mast had already moved from Williston to Lewiston in 2020 to be closer to the children. On the morning of the scheduled visit, Rebecca filed a last-minute motion asking the court to overturn the unsupervised order. Judge Rustad denied it that same day.²

The Shooting in the Rosauers Parking Lot

Shortly before 6:00 p.m. on February 5, 2021, the Lewiston Police Department received reports of a shooting at the Rosauers store at 332 Thain Road. Officers arrived within two minutes and found Mast with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, where he died.³

Mast had been waiting in the lot for the custody exchange. He never saw his children that day. James Brashear, then 67, was detained near his vehicle at the scene. He was carrying a 9mm pistol and held a concealed carry permit. According to court documents, Brashear told police he had watched his grandchildren crying and expressing fear about going with their father, and that he “decided at that time he was going to go to Rosauers and kill Mast.”²

The Criminal Case Against James Brashear

Brashear was arraigned on February 8, 2021, on a charge of first-degree murder, a capital offense in Idaho.² His jury trial began in Nez Perce County’s 2nd District Court in August 2023.

Prosecutors called the killing “textbook premeditation,” pointing to evidence that Brashear had arrived at the parking lot early, waited for Mast, and then texted his wife “It’s done” immediately after the shooting.⁴ Defense attorney Chris Bugbee argued the shooting was impulsive, contending that Brashear, a Vietnam veteran, had been overwhelmed by his grandchildren’s distress. Brashear testified he “didn’t drive to Rosauers intending to shoot Mast” and was “just in another world.”⁵

On August 25, 2023, the jury rejected first-degree murder and found Brashear guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.⁶ On November 17, 2023, Second District Judge Mark Monson imposed the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, along with a $7,500 fine, $245.50 in court costs, $5,000 payable to Mast’s parents, and more than $8,500 in restitution to a victim fund. Brashear received credit for nearly three years already served.⁷

The Wrongful Death Verdict

Mast’s siblings, Betty Troyer and Steven Mast, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both James Brashear and Rebecca Brashear-Mast. The four-day civil trial began July 28, 2025, at the Nez Perce County Second Judicial Courthouse in Lewiston, again before Judge Mark Monson. The family was represented by attorneys Kevin Hickey of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Joe Miller of Boise, Idaho.⁸

The civil case focused on Rebecca’s alleged role in the shooting. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argued the killing was a planned ambush, presenting evidence that Rebecca had emailed Mast to meet her at Rosauers for the exchange and then arrived a few minutes late, creating a window for her father to be alone with him. They pointed to evidence that Brashear had previously told his daughter she “wouldn’t have to worry about anything” and that he routinely traveled armed. Witnesses Ashlynn Weza and Sergeant Danielle Hendricks testified that Brashear had made threats to kill Mast, with Rebecca present for at least one of them. Hickey called Rebecca the “primary person involved in John’s death.”¹

Rebecca represented herself and described herself in closing as “just a mom trying to defend herself.” She has never faced criminal charges in her ex-husband’s death.¹

On July 31, 2025, the jury found both defendants liable and awarded $6.25 million in total damages, half of it as punitive damages for what the jury found were malicious acts. Rebecca Brashear-Mast was ordered to pay $4.55 million and James Brashear $1.7 million.¹

Where the Case Stands Now

James Brashear is incarcerated at the Idaho State Correctional Institution Medical Annex in Boise. His projected release date is February 4, 2036.⁹

Mast’s family created the John Mast Foundation to help parents facing false allegations and parental alienation during custody disputes, connecting them with vetted attorneys, experts, and coaches. A documentary titled “I Stand with John” was screened at the 5th Annual Parental Alienation Study Group conference in June 2023.¹⁰ Robert Mast, John’s father, has also given testimony to the North Dakota legislature about parental alienation and custody-system gaps.¹¹

1
Lewiston Morning Tribune. Father, Daughter Found Liable for Man’s Death
2
The Dickinson Press. Custody Battle Drew Williston Dad to Idaho, Where He Was Fatally Shot Before Seeing Kids
3
Big Country News Connection. 67-Year-Old Man Arrested on First-Degree Murder Charges After Allegedly Shooting Ex-Son-in-Law
4
Big Country News Connection. James Brashear Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter in Parking Lot Killing of John Mast
5
Lewiston Morning Tribune. Brashear: I Was Just in Another World
6
KOZE. Jury Chooses Lesser Charge, Finds Brashear Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter
7
KOZE. Winchester Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Voluntary Manslaughter
8
Lewiston Morning Tribune. Emotional Testimony Marks Day 1 of Wrongful Death Civil Lawsuit
9
Idaho Department of Correction. Resident Search – James Robert Brashear
10
Parental Alienation Study Group. 5th Annual PASG Conference Program
11
North Dakota Legislative Branch. Testimony of Robert Mast