Estimated read time: Less than a minute
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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
FARMINGTON — A West Jordan man pleaded guilty Thursday to the murder of a 39-year-old woman found dead in her Bountiful apartment.
Chad Mecham entered his plea during his scheduled arraignment, the day after he was bound over for trial.
Second District Judge Thomas Kay sentenced Mecham to maximum sentences of 15 years to life for first degree felony murder and zero to five years for desecration of a human body, a third degree felony.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Mecham suffocated Wilson in September at her Bountiful home. He then tried to cover up the crime by wrapping the woman's head and hands in packing tape and hiding her body under blankets and a mattress.
The two were friends, but not romantically involved.
Authorities allege Mecham stole Wilson's phone and car, and called her work to report she was out sick. He was arrested when he was found sleeping in Wilson's car Oct. 5 in West Valley City.
Court documents say investigators found DNA matching Mecham under Wilson's fingernails.
E-mail: emorgan@desnews.com
