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PROVO — The trial for an Orem man accused of killing his wife is another step closer to beginning.
Conrad Truman faces murder charges in the suspicious death of his wife Heidy nearly two years ago.
At a final pretrial conference Monday afternoon, attorneys agreed for jury selection to begin on Sept. 30, and opening arguments are set for Oct. 1, which will be two years to the day since Heidy died.
Truman has pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors and his wife's family believe her shooting death was no accident — they call it murder.
“We’re hanging in there,” said Janet Wagner, Heidy’s mother. She says she is preparing herself for the roller coaster of emotions she will face as Truman stands trial in the death of her daughter.
"It's been a long road, but it looks like it is going to come to some conclusion.” Wagner said.
It was Truman's frantic 911 call and strange behavior at the scene that raised the suspicion of Orem police, who arrested him last summer — nine months after his wife was found shot to death.
“We just turned in all of our jury instructions, exhibits and witness lists and questionnaires and asked for 100 jurors to be summoned,” said Craig Johnson, a deputy Utah County attorney who is prosecuting the case.
Ultimately, a jury of eight will have to decide what happened that night, likely relying on expert testimony in what is largely a circumstantial case.
"So we just want the jury to be fully informed in making this important decision," Johnson said.
Heidy's family is sponsoring a "Hike for Heidy" on Saturday, Sept. 13, along the Jordan River Parkway in South Jordan beginning at 10 a.m. The location is 10900 South Riverfront Parkway (approximately at 1100 West).
All proceeds will go to benefit domestic violence programs at the YWCA.
