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OREM -- A newly-released 911 recording has revealed compelling details in Sunday's shooting in Orem. In the recording, a man police identify as 54-year-old Stephen Strate admited he killed his brother-in-law. The shooting took place around 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the home where Strate's brother-in-law, 51-year-old Marvin Sidwell, lived with his mother at 433 S. 360 West. On the tape, Strate told the Orem dispatcher to send police because he just shot and killed someone. "Is he still inside the home?" the dispatcher asked.
"Yeah. He's downstairs," Strate said. "I'm sure he's dead, ma'am."
The call continued, and the dispatcher asked, "Where did you shoot him?"
"I don't know, six or seven times," Strate replied.
"You shot him six or seven times?" the dispatcher asked.
"Yeah," Strate said
According to a friend, the victim's elderly mother recently got out of the hospital and her son-in-law came to the house Sunday to help fix some sort of problem.
Neighbors and friends said there was some sort on ongoing dispute between the two brothers-in-law. The recording indicates a possible altercation before the shooting.
"He came after me with a damn chair," Strate told the dispatcher.
"He came after you with a chair?" the dispatcher asked.
"Yeah," Strate said
"And so you shot him six or seven times?" the dispatcher said.
"Yeah," Strate said.
Strate told the dispatcher he shot Sidwell and left the body while he went upstairs to call dispatch.
"I need you to put your hands on your head. Put your hands on your head. Where is the gun? Is it still on the ground?" the dispatcher then asked.
"It's on the front porch," Strate said.
"What kind of gun is it?" the dispatcher asked.
"I don't know. It's a 380. It's just sitting out here. Send ‘em over," Strate said.
"We've got ‘em on the way, Steve. We've had ‘em since you called," the dispatcher said.
Police arrived within two minutes and arrested Strate without incident.
Strate now is in the Utah County jail on $1 million cash-only bail. He has not been formally charged.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
