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UTAH COUNTY -- Pamela and her husband Roger were once suspected in the murder of retired BYU professor, Kay Mortensen. Wednesday, prosecutors dropped all murder charges against them and say they now consider them victims in the case.
Pamela Mortensen sat in jail accused of her father-in-law's murder. Wednesday she became a free woman but kept quiet about her four-month-long ordeal behind bars. Other than how she was doing, Mortensen said hardly anything as she walked out of the Utah County Jail just before 12:30 Wednesday afternoon.
Her mother, Donna Rissinger, was at her side and told reporters today "is a great day." She says she always knew her daughter would be cleared.
"I am very grateful to whomever gave them the call, that finally the truth is known. I always knew that once Pam's side was told, that people would recognize the truth," Rissinger said.
Mortensen held hands with family members as attorney Greg Skordas followed behind them. Skordas arrived shortly before Mortensen was released. He says his client spent time behind bars for something she did not do, and he hopes the grand jury system will be used with caution in the future.
"The fact that she spent four and a half months in jail is something that can never be recovered, but the system, I think, ultimately worked, although clearly it didn't at the beginning," Skordas said.
It's unclear when Roger Mortensen will be released from jail. He still faces federal firearm charges.
Court documents state that Martin Bond and Ben Rettig admitted to detectives they were involved in the burglary, and wanted to steal Kay Mortensen's guns.
They are blaming each other, for the murder.
Story compiled with contributions from Anne Forester and Sam Penrod.
