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The man responsible for making a homemade explosive device that injured a 12-year-old boy on Pioneer Day will spend three weeks behind bars.
Craig Miller pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession of an explosive device and a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment. Today he was sentenced to 180 days in jail, but he will only spend 21 days behind bars.
The rest of Miller's time can be served through a GPS monitoring device, and he will also be on probation for three years.
On Pioneer Day, Miller was attempting to light a homemade firework. There was an explosion that sent a piece of shrapnel into the leg and abdomen of 12-year-old Bridger Hunt.
"It's hard for me to watch my baby be in so much pain. That's the one thing that breaks my heart, that I wish that I could take it from him and give it to me," said Mindy Carter-Shaw, Bridger's mother.
Miller was also able to talk to Bridger, who was in the courtroom today. "I expressed how sorry I was at this and expressed my belief that he will fully recover," Miller said. "He doesn't seem to hold any malice at all, which I'm extremely grateful for."
"It was stupid of him, but it was still a mistake," Bridger said.
Bridger was released from Primary Children's Medical Center on Sept. 12 after a two-month stay and several surgeries.
Bridger's mother says she was hoping that Craig Miller would not have to serve any jail time. Miller's attorney said they were pushing for the same thing.
The judge in the case said Miller was being given a lighter sentence so he could work to help pay some of Bridger's medical bills.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
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