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By Sarah DallofSherman Lynch was accused of running over and killing his wife, Patricia Rothermich, as she walked near their home in Holladay a little over a year ago. Lynch says he didn't do it, but tonight, a jury had its say.
The jury deliberated just over one hour before delivering guilty verdicts against Lynch for killing for both killing his wife and for obstructing justice.
Lynch had little reaction as the verdict was read against him. Friends of Patricia Rothermich hugged.
Police tied Lynch to the crime after his girlfriend told police Lynch had bought a truck matching description of the one used in the crime.
For friends of Rothermich, today is bittersweet. While they say they have justice, they don't have their friend.
"Pat was a neighbor of mine for 30 years, and she was like family. She didn't deserve to die," Don Carter said.
Lynch's lawyers had no comment on the trial or on whether they'll appeal the verdict.
Lynch will be sentenced in January. He faces 15 years to life in prison for homicide and 15 years for obstructing justice.
As for Rothermich's friends, they say their focus now is preserving her memory by continuing to raise money for a scholarship at the University of Utah in her name. It will be given to a graduate student focused on children's welfare, a passion of Rothermich's.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
Earlier report from Sandra Yi:
A jury is now deliberating to decide the fate of a man accused of running down his wife and killing her.
In closing arguments this evening, prosecutors said Sherman Lynch had motive to kill his wife, Patricia Rothermich. They also say he was having an affair.
The defense is arguing that investigators did not follow up on all leads. They also showed a receipt from Costco.
The defense did not call any witnesses, but in the closing closing argument attorneys said investigators did not follow up on all leads.
Defense attorneys also argue that Lynch could not have hit his Rothermich because he was shopping at Costco when she was killed. He has two receipts for gas and milk to prove it.
Prosecutors did not try to dispute that Lynch was at Costco, but they tried to prove Lynch could have committed the crime first.
The initial call about the hit-and-run came in at 3:18 p.m. Lynch's gas receipt from Costco was stamped at 3:44. That's a 26 minute difference.
Prosecutors asked a detective whether Lynch could have hit his wife, dropped the truck off at a nearby abandoned home, where it was stored, switched cars and then drive to Costco and get gas in 26 minutes.
"Easily," the detective said. He said he drove that route several times, and it took him 14 minutes.
Earlier today, jurors were also shown a video of an interview a detective conducted with Lynch after they found the white truck that hit Rothermich. In that interview, Lynch told the detective that he owned only one vehicle, and that was a van.
When the detective asked him about a white pickup, Lynch said that he bought a truck at an auction for his son a few weeks before the death, but gave it to a mechanic named Chuck when the transmission died.
Lynch also answered questions about his former girlfriend, Nancy Scott. He said that she was a friend and admitted that they were having an affair. He also said that he and his wife were best friends, they had a good relationship, but they did not have a sexual relationship.
We're told the jury will deliberate for as long as it needs to, to reach a verdict tonight.
Tune into Eyewitness News at 10 tonight where our Sarah Dallof will have an update on the proceedings.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
