BOISE - The star witness in a botched 2005 Idaho attempted murder prosecution will spend 12 months and one day in federal prison after defrauding the government of nearly $100,000 in veterans benefits.

Elven Joe Swisher was convicted in April of wearing unauthorized military medals, presenting false statements and documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs and theft of government funds.

In 2005, the 71-year-old Cottonwood man was the federal government's star witness in the conviction of north Idaho businessman David Hinkson, who was accused of plotting to kill a federal judge, prosecutor and tax agent.

In May, however, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Hinkson deserves a new trial because Swisher forged documents and lied in court about his military background.

Before his conviction was overturned, Hinkson got 43 years in prison.