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FARMINGTON — A Layton man has pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, five months after police say he shot and killed his wife and in-laws, along with three of the family's dogs.
About 9:45 a.m. on May 19, Jeremy Lake Bailey, 34, called 911 to say he had just killed his wife, Anastasia Stevens, 36, at their home at 1832 E. Gentile St. He was still on the phone with dispatchers when officers arrived, police say.
Inside, police found the bodies of Stevens, along with her father, Donald Stevens, 73, and her stepmother, Rebecca "Becky" Stevens, 61. Police say Donald and Rebecca Stevens were visiting from Nevada. Neighbors say they may have been there to help with what they believe were marriage disputes between Bailey and Anastasia Stevens.
"On May 19th I retrieved a handgun, went into our bedroom and shot Anastasia," Bailey wrote in the plea. "After shooting Anastasia, I immediately turned and shot Rebecca Stevens multiple times, causing her death. After shooting Rebecca, I immediately turned to the bedroom and shot Donald Stevens, causing his death."
Charging documents say there may have been a longer time than police originally thought between when Bailey shot the victims and when he called the police. Bailey went to Sportsman's Warehouse after shooting the victims to buy a box of 9 mm hollow point ammunition, and then posted about his actions on Anastasia Stevens' Facebook page before calling 911, documents state.
"At no point did he show remorse for his actions. The defendant instead asked police if they thought this would 'hit the news.' There are no conditions of release possible to protect the public as the defendant has shown a complete disregard for human and animal life," according to charging documents.
Five other charges were dismissed in exchange for Bailey's plea, including two counts of felony discharge of a firearm, a first-degree felony, and three counts of torture of a companion animal, a third-degree felony.
Defense attorney Jonathan Nish said the minimum sentence for aggravated murder in Utah is a term of 25 years to life, and prosecutors could argue for the death penalty, but both parties agree life without chance of parole is the best option for Bailey. The term will ultimately be decided by 2nd District Judge Michael DiReda during the court sentencing, the date of which has not been announced yet.
