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Sam Penrod ReportingKay Wallis, Victim's Friend: "The family will just be happy today that justice was served, whatever it is."
But was justice served today in the murder of a Pleasant Grove woman, in a case police called a cold-blooded killing? It has been more than four years now since Mina Pajela was gunned down and today the woman accused of killing her took a plea bargain. The murder charge was reduced to manslaughter and Pajela entered a no contest plea.
Prosecutors admit they are not happy with how this case was resolved, but say under the circumstances in ensures that some punishment will be handed out, as opposed to the possibility of an acquittal.
For more than four years, Kerri Fae Brown has been the prime suspect of killing her boss. Mina Pajela was shot to death in what police believe was an attempt to cover up that Brown had embezzled thousands of dollars from her.
Sherry Ragan, Prosecutor: "No one recklessly shoots someone in the back of the head in the manner it was done. It's obvious that it was done intentionally and knowingly and it was something that was planned."
Prosecutors are convinced that Brown, who had given birth just three days before, killed Pajela. Their biggest problem was that the murder weapon belonged to Brown's boyfriend, which could have raised reasonable doubt with a jury.
Sherry Ragan, Prosecutor: "She is going to prison for a long period of time. If we would have taken the matter to trial, there was a chance she might have been acquitted."
Pajela lived a quiet life in Utah, but had a few close friends. Kay Wallis was one of them and says she still can't understand how Kerri Brown could kill her friend, after Pajela had allowed Brown to move in with her.
Kay Wallis, Victim's Friend: "The very last memory I have of Mina, she was holding Kerri's baby in her arms, loving, kissing that little baby. She had her arm around Kerri, telling her she needed to take care of herself, she'd just had a baby."
But a of couple of hours later Pajela was killed. And after four years, today's resolution brings some relief to those who knew her.
Kay Wallis, Friend: "I think her family is mostly looking for closure from this, they know our final judge is our judge up in heaven."
Kerri Brown was allowed to remain free on bail until she is sentenced in November, to give her time to arrange for custody of her seven-year old boy and four-year old girl. She faces from one to fifteen years in prison.
