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The man whose homemade explosive device severely injured 12-year-old Bridger Hunt accepted a plea deal today from prosecutors.
Craig Miller previously faced three felony counts, but prosecutors reduced the charges to one felony count of possession of an explosive device and a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment.
Miller said he wanted to focus on helping the family pay Bridger's hospital bills instead of paying attorneys to continue the trial.
"It's been really rough. I've lost everything, everything -- my family, everything," Miller said. "The chance to put this behind and move on to what was needed, I'm willing to take the hit for Bridger."
Bridger's mother, Mindy Carter Shaw, attended today's hearing. She said, "We've very pleased that we came to something that he feels good about. I feel great that he's OK, and we're OK."
Miller will learn his sentence in December, and a later hearing will determine restitution.
After the hearing, Shaw gave an update on Bridger. She said he is now standing up and taking steps with crutches for the first time since the accident.
Bridger was injured on Pioneer Day when Miller set off an explosive device. He was released from Primary Children's Medical Center on Sept. 12 after a two-month stay and several surgeries.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
