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PROVO -- A Utah County man accused of murder avoided the possibility of a death sentence Thursday when he took a plea deal. It was an unexpected move, with attorneys saying the deal arranged in just the past few days.
Feb. 22, 2010 - Provo man arrested for aunt's murder
Feb. 23, 2010 Autopsy: Woman found dead in canyon was raped
March 2, 2010 Less serious charges filed against man accused of killing aunt
July 9, 2010 Charges elevated for man accused of killing aunt
Sept. 8, 2010Provo man ordered to stand trial for aunt's murder
Oct. 15, 2010Provo man pleads not guilty to aunt's death
Prosecutors charged 23-year-old Damien Candland with aggravated murder in connection with the death of his aunt Amy Candland. Her body was found last year in Hobble Creek Canyon.
Prosecutors say it was Damien Candland who approached them about a plea deal. They say he told them he was ready to plead guilty.
"Part of the agreement was for him to go to prison without the possibility of parole, which was a key term to us. We want him to never be out," prosecutor Julia Thomas said.
Damien Candland admitted to aggravated murder when he killed his 41-year-old aunt last February. Charges of rape and obstruction of justice were dropped as part of the deal.
Amy Candland's body was found in Hobble Creek Canyon on February 21, 2010, but police discovered she was actually killed at home in Provo, where she and Damien Candland both lived.
The two had a history of a volatile relationship, and Amy Candland had testified against her nephew in a case of theft. Thursday, for the first time, prosecutors divulged they believe that was the motive for the murder.
Damien Candland's defense attorneys say their client decided to plead guilty in an attempt to help his family heal from this terrible tragedy.
"I think that's what started the whole thing, is that he wanted to do the right thing by his family and take responsibility for his actions," defense attorney Richard Gale said.
Damien Candland's father, who is Amy Candland's brother, was in the courtroom for Thursday's hearing.
Damien Candland now faces decades behind bars. While at this point it is only a formality, he will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on March 17.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
