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Crime Specialist Karen Scullin reporting The West Valley man accused of killing his wife and four year old daughter last week made his first court appearance Friday morning.
Brian Sullivan walked into the courtroom this morning in shackles and handcuffs, one day after being charged with two counts of capital murder. Those charges allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty.
Brian Sullivan never made eye contact with anyone but his attorney and the judge today, as he appeared in court for the first time on capital murder charges.
But family members of victims LaRae Sullivan and her four year old daughter were in the courtroom, taking a hard look at him.
Elaine Beatty/Victim's Cousin: "IT IS JUST DISGUSTING, UNDERSTANDING WHAT HE'S GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, AND WHAT THE FAMILY'S GOING THROUGH "
Sullivan is accused of stabbing and killing his wife and four year old daughter around Wednesday of last week. When detectives discovered the bodies on Friday, they had been cleaned and placed in a bed together. Sullivan allgedly confessed to several people, saying God made him do it. But Beatty believes religion was not the motivating factor.
"Elaine Beatty: DRUGS, HIS LOVE FOR DRUGS, AND ALCOHOL. AND WHEN HE STATES RELIGOUS REASONS...I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT, BECAUSE GOD DON'T INSTRUCT PEOPLE TO KILL YA KNOW"
Beatty also says Sullivan had a violent history with the family, and it was known the couple had a troubled marriage.
"Elaine Beatty: THEY DID GET SOME COUNSELING WITHIN THE CHURCH. AS FAR AS IT'S GONE BEYOND THE BISHOP AND EVERYTHING, I DON'T KNOW"
Brian Sullivan was reportedly unemployed for several years, but LaRae was a nurse at South Davis Community Hospital...she also worked at Continental Airlines.
"Elaine Beatty: SHE'S A PERFECT ANGEL. YOU CAN NEVER MEET A BETTER PERSON, A FINE WOMAN. WHY DID IT HAVE TO HAPPEN TO HER?"
Sullivan asked for a court appointed public defender. His next court apppearance is March 10th.
