Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO, Utah (AP)-- A man who attacked and shot an Orem police officer while being restrained pleaded guilty to first-degree felony attempted aggravated murder.
As part of a plea bargain, David Luis Burns, 22, also pleaded guilty to disarming a police officer, aggravated assault and assault.
In exchange for the pleas Tuesday, the Utah County Attorney's Office agreed to drop two other charges of disarming a police officer and aggravated assault by a prisoner.
Burns could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
On April 17, two Orem officers responded to a domestic violence call from Burns' girlfriend, who said he had choked her so hard she almost lost consciousness, Utah County prosecutor Randy Kennard said.
When the officers arrived, they told Burns to stand with his hands behind his back, but when officers tried to cuff him he became aggressive and resisted. As the officers tried to get him under control, Burns somehow got a finger on a holstered gun and fired a shot.
The first shot didn't hit anyone, but during the continued scuffle, Burns got a second officer's gun out of his holster and fired into the shoulder of Orem Police Lt. Phil Murphy.
Other officers arrived soon after and were able to restrain Burns and place him under arrest.
Murphy has recovered and continues his work on the Orem police force.
------
Information from: Deseret Morning News, http://www.deseretnews.com
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
