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OREM -- A Utah County businessman was booked into jail for murder Sunday, accused of shooting his own brother-in-law to death.
Though a motive for the shooting was still unclear, neighbors and friends said there was some sort on ongoing dispute between the two brothers-in-law.
When police arrived at the home near 400 South and 300 West around 12:30 p.m., the suspect was waiting with a gun, but he surrendered peacefully.
"He was outside. He was instructed to come outside," said Sgt. Craig Martinez with the Orem Department of Public Safety.
The victim, whom police have identified as 51-year-old Marvin Sidwell, lived in the basement.
Roger Peterson was a friend of Sidwell's. "He had a good heart. He loved fishing and hunting. He was a great guy," he said.
His elderly mother, LaVern Sidwell, lived upstairs and was home when the shooting occurred.
"Wonderful people -- absolutely the best," said Diane Fairbanks, a neighbor and friend of the Sidwells.
The victim's sister, Linda Strate, was not present when the shooting occurred. Her husband, 54-year-old Steven Strate, was visiting the home at the time of the shooting.
"I can't believe this. This is unbelievable," said Fairbanks.
Police have not said what provoked Strate to start shooting.
"We're still interviewing witnesses and other family members to kind of clarify the motive behind it. We don't know that yet," said Martinez.
Neighbors said the two had a history of disagreements.
"I know that at some times they had heated arguments. I really don't know at this time," said Peterson.
The victim was a welder by trade with a lengthy record of drug and DUI-related offenses. He moved in with his mother after his father died, according to Peterson.
"He watched over his mom, took care of the yard and everything. It worked out good so she didn't have to live alone," Peterson said.
Fairbanks said he was a good neighbor. "He was really a gentleman. He did a lot of yard work, a lot of maintenance upkeep -- a friendly guy," she said.
Peterson said Sidwell sometimes worked for his brother-in-law. Strate once owned a company named for him -- Steve Strate Crane Service.
"He sold that company and they kept the name, and now he's been into real estate for quite some time. He's quite well-to-do. Marvin's not," said Peterson.
According to a friend, the victim's elderly mother had recently come out of the hospital and her son-in-law came to the house Sunday to help fix some sort of problem.
It was still unclear if that somehow led to the conflict with her son living in the basement.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
