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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingWe've been expecting a "not guilty" plea in the Mark Hacking case and today there were no surprises at his arraignment; Mark Hacking did indeed plead "not guilty."
KSL-TV asked Mark Hacking's attorney today if a "not guilty" plea means someone is innocent. He replied, “what it means is the state has to prove its case, prove Mark Hacking killed his wife, beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The innocent plea infuriated Lori Hacking's family -- her brother had urged Hacking to "be a man" and accept punishment, and her mother said she felt outrage for Lori and her unborn child.
"I know that one day Mark will receive perfect judgment from the only judge who knows every detail of what he did that terrible night," the mother, Thelma Soares, told reporters outside a courtroom where Hacking appeared shackled and wearing a bulletproof vest. He was surrounded by a dozen bailiffs.
Mark Hacking had some family support at his arraignment today. Both his parents and brother Scott were there for Mark's plea.
Scott Hacking, Defendant's Brother: “I just look at mark. He's my brother, the one I love."
Douglas Hacking, Defendant's Father: “It's been really hard, very hard."
Before court, Eraldo Soares said he hoped his son-in-law would plead "guilty."
Eraldo Soares, Lori Hacking's Father: “It would give us some rest. We wouldn't be any more suffering like we are."
But he and Lori's mother did not get that wish. Hacking's attorney, Gil Athay, entered a "not guilty" plea on behalf of his client.
Thelma Soares, Lori Hacking's Mother: “In pleading ‘not guilty’, Mark continues to hurt us…I feel outrage on behalf of Lori and her baby because Mark heaps now, insult upon injury.”
Eraldo Soares: I'm sad that he said "not guilty" because he keeps postponing the stopping the hurt that we have."
Hacking's brother says he has mixed feelings about the case going to trial.
Scott Hacking: “It seems to most of us that by just saying "guilty" and getting it over with is the right thing to do. But on the other hand, legally it makes sense that saying "not guilty" lets all of us learn the information."
Scott knows he may have to testify against his brother...
Scott Hacking: “As you can imagine, you hope that time never comes."
But no matter what happens in court, Thelma Soares says justice will be served.
Thelma Soares: “I know that one day, mark will receive perfect judgment, from the only judge who knows every detail of what he did that terrible night in July."
Hacking's plea came after the victim's brother, Paul Soares, appealed to Hacking to "take responsibility for your actions" and plead guilty to her murder.
"Save your family the grief and cost of this attorney. Just plead guilty for once. Just tell the truth," he wrote in a 21/2-page letter to Hacking at jail. A copy was obtained by The Associated Press and first reported Friday in the Deseret Morning News.
"Lori was sleeping like a princess in bed and you took her life ... if that is even how it happened. Are you being honest in that? Have you ever told the truth?"
Eraldo Soares said whatever the court decides in this case, he will accept. Scott Hacking told us Mark has undergone extensive psychiatric testing. We don't know if those tests will play into his defense.
Hacking's trial date was set for April 18th. It's expected to take about a week.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
