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ST. GEORGE — The man implicated in a murder-for-hire scheme in November appeared in court Thursday where he was sentenced on six first-degree felony crimes, including aggravated sexual abuse and solicitation involving attempts to contract the murder of a teenage witness.
Kristoffer Jones, 30, appeared in 5th District Court via video during a sentencing hearing on three first-degree felony counts of criminal solicitation of murder. He was also sentenced on three first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
Washington County Attorney Ryan Shaum appeared also via video with several of the victim’s family members, who elected not to speak during the hearing but instead provided written victim impact statements that were reviewed by District Judge John J. Walton prior to the hearing.
Shaum asked that all sentences in both cases be “run consecutive to each other,” and he made it clear he would ask for a much stiffer sentence if the law allowed.
“Quite frankly your honor, if I could find a way to do it — life without parole,” Shaum said, “I would do it.”
Shaum went on to say the solicitation charge to have the victim murdered was “shocking” and added that Jones “has shown zero remorse.”