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KEARNS — A man, who was convicted in 2002 for killing his prison cellmate, was charged Friday after allegedly kidnapping and assaulting his wife earlier this week.
Jeffery Paschall, 37, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, a first- degree felony, as well as second-degree felony charges of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, according to charging documents filed in 3rd District Court.
Paschall's wife told police that on June 7 her husband dragged her from their home, forced her into his Jeep and sped away. He stopped at a church, dragged her out of the vehicle and began punching her.
When witnesses saw them outside the church, Paschall forced his wife back into the vehicle and drove to another location where he pulled her from the vehicle and told her he would kill her, dismember her and dump her remains in the West Desert. He then strangled her until she lost consciousness, according to her statement.
Officers arrived at the couple's home where they met with Paschall, the charges state. When asked about the location of his wife, Paschall first told officers he had taken her to her mother's home and later that he had dropped her off at Kearns Junior High School. Charging documents are unclear on how police officers were notified of the incident.
A witness who had followed Paschall from the church told the officers that he had not dropped the woman off, at which point they entered the home and found Canopy Paschall badly beaten in a bedroom, the charges state.
Prosecutors have requested Paschall, who is in the Salt Lake County Jail, be denied bail.
Paschall has a history of criminal offenses and was charged in 2002 with killing his cellmate while serving a prison sentence for drug possession. His cellmate, Archie Fernandez — who was two months away from being released after serving a sentence for manslaughter — died from a skull fracture after being hit in the face repeatedly by Paschall in the medium-security cell they shared. Paschall was found guilty of criminal homicide by assault and sentenced to up to five years in prison.
Paschall's previous convictions also include burglary, battery, reckless driving and simple assault.
Email:benwood@desnews.com
