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WEST JORDAN -- The jury has reached a verdict in case of Eugene Christopher Wright, accused of killing a Utah County businessman two and a half years ago. They found him guilty on both counts--aggravated robbery and murder.
When the verdict was read, Wright slightly shook his head. His family remained in the courtroom and cried.
"He's extremely disappointed, as you might expect," said defense attorney Ed Brass.
For the family of Kenneth Dolezsar, the victim, the verdict was justice. They say the verdict will now finally help them move on with life. Dolezsar's widow lowered her head in the courtroom and cried.
"He was such a pillar in the community, a hockey coach," said Dolezsar's stepson Barry Steed. "He was loved and adored by everyone who knew him."
Dolezsar was shot five times outside of the Village Inn in Sandy in November 2007. He was a coach at Utah Valley State College at the time of his death.
Prosecutors say Wright and Dolezsar were working on a business project together at the time of the shooting.
Dolezsar's family would not discuss a motive, but they say the verdict will now allow them to move forward.
"We're not a vengeful family by any means, but in the heinous way that Kenneth was taken from us, I just hope that the judge will take into consideration that, and that justice will be served," Steed said.
The jury deliberated for 11 hours before returning the verdict. Friday afternoon the jury asked the court to see video of the eyewitness testimony of the police interview following the shooting. The judge denied that request, saying they should rely on what they heard in the courtroom.
"The right verdict came down. I think justice has been served here today," Steed said. "I know it's going to let our family start the healing process."
Defense attorneys say they are disappointed with the conviction and that the wrong man was convicted. They said Wright is also disappointed with the outcome.
"We believe that Mr. Wright is innocent, and we're not gonna change that position," defense attorney Ed Brass said.
Lee Carlson was the only eyewitness to the shooting. He was the first person to testify in the trial. On the stand he said he was 100 percent sure that Wright was the person who shot Dolezsar.
"I think the eyewitness was an accurate eyewitness," said prosecutor Josh Player. "I believe the experts provided all the information the jury needed."
But defense attorneys said Carlson's identification of the shooter is unreliable and that his memory of what the shooter looked like got better with time.
"We feel like there are things that could have and should have been explored and they weren't," Brass said.
The jury listened to testimony in the trial for eight days. In closing arguments Thursday, defense attorneys pointed to a man who had business dealings with both the suspect and the victim. They say that man, David Novak, swindled $2 million from Dolezsar. That, they say, provides motive to kill Dolezsar, whereas Wright had no motive in the killing.
Prosecutors, though, said the evidence pointed to Wright, including the murder weapon, which they say belonged to him.
After the verdict was read, Wright asked the judge to sentence him that day.
"It's pretty apparent what the sentence would be for a person who was convicted of homicide," said Brass. "There's really only one sentence. The judge isn't very likely to impose probation, and he (Wright) would like to get on with the next phase of his life."
The judge would not sentence Wright Friday, saying that he wasn't prepared to do so. Wright will be sentenced May 28. He faces up to life in prison.
When asked about an appeal, his attorney just said, "We'll have to see."
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Story compiled with contributions from Sandra Yi and Sarah Dallof.
