Jury finds Conrad Truman guilty of killing his wife


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PROVO — After more than 15 hours of deliberation, a jury Wednesday found Conrad Mark Truman guilty of killing his wife, Heidy Truman, in 2012.

For family members of Heidy Truman, the moment wasn't so much about the conviction as it was celebrating their memories of a life cut short but lived fully.

"This has been a two-year journey. It's so hard, but we knew that the truth had to come through," Heidy Truman's mother, Janet Wagner, said amid breathless sobs. "(We were) just hoping and praying the jury would hear her story, and they have. We are blessed."

"There's nothing that can express what we feel about this," said Amanda Wagner, Heidy Truman's sister. "Nobody wins in this. We both have lost. But the memories (of) Heidy will stay with us forever. We will never stop our due diligence in going forth and bringing awareness to domestic violence."

Conrad Truman's defense attorney, Ron Yengich, said his client maintains he did not kill his wife.

"He's sad and he didn't feel that they had enough evidence to convict him because he didn't do it. And that's what he said, basically those exact words," Yengich said.

It was unknown Wednesday whether Conrad Truman planned to appeal the verdict.

Heidy Truman, 25, died Oct. 1, 2012. Police arrived at the couple's Orem home the night before and found her lying face down in a pool of blood after Conrad Truman called 911.

A medical examiner report later stated Heidy Truman died of a gunshot fired in close range to her head, determining it was a homicide.

Police originally suspected Conrad Truman, 32, of killing his wife after he became aggressive with responding officials and offered conflicting accounts of events leading up to the shooting.

He was charged 10 months after his wife's death with murder, a first-degree felony, and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. He was found guilty on both counts Wednesday.

Attorneys made their closing arguments in the case Tuesday. Prosecutor Craig Johnson argued that Conrad Truman's conflicting accounts of what happened were evidence that he killed his wife and attempted to impede the investigation. Johnson also cited the possibility that Conrad Truman killed her to collect more than $750,000 in insurance money.

Yengich, however, said Conrad Truman's agitation and confusing statements were made because of intoxication and sincere concern for his wife, whom he loved. Yengich also argued that Heidy Truman may have shot herself accidentally by slipping while holding a gun.

Conrad Truman will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Dec. 15 and could face a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Johnson commended the jury of four men and four women for their service during the 12 days of trial and more than 15 hours of deliberation.

"It really shows that they looked at each and every piece of evidence critically and that they came to a meeting of the minds with the eight of them," he said. "We appreciate their service. This was a difficult case, and we think they made the right decision."

Contributing: Sam Penrod

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