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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Prosecutors have filed murder and other charges against a 44-year-old man they say left his girlfriend dead in her West Valley City apartment after an argument.
Thomas James Valdez appeared in court Friday by video conferencing from the Salt Lake County jail and was arraigned on the charges.
A 3rd District judge appointed the Salt Lake Legal Defenders to represent Valdez. A hearing is set for March 29.
Valdez faces one count of first-degree felony murder and one count of third-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
The charges stem from the March 9 death of 55-year-old Maralee Andreason.
Jail records say Valdez told West Valley City police he struck Andreason during an argument. He is being held on $1 million bail.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
