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Man pleads guilty, sentenced to life in prison for murdering three in Midvale

Posted at 9:08 AM, Dec 17, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-17 23:54:21-05

WEST JORDAN -- The man accused of killing three people in a Midvale home has struck a plea bargain that spares his life.

David Fresques, 26, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three counts of first-degree aggravated murder and a single charge of attempted aggravated murder. In exchange for the pleas, prosecutors dropped the option of the death penalty and a judge sentenced him to life without parole.

"It's just impossible to understand why this happened," Judge Bruce Lubeck said as he handed down the sentence.

Fresques was convicted of killing Shontay Young, Omar Jarman and Danielle Lucero in a Midvale home on Feb. 12, 2013. Prosecutors said he went room by room, shooting the people until he ran out of bullets.

He also shot Vicky Myers, but she survived with a number of medical problems that plague her to this day.

"I wish him the worst," Myers told the judge over the phone from a hospital where she is being treated for a stroke, a complication from the shooting.

The families of Young, Lucero and Jarman stood and shared their pain -- but also how they have come to forgive Fresques for the murders.

"I forgive Mr. Fresques," Jarman's 14-year-old son, Quintin Allred, told the judge. "God forgives everybody."

"Amen," said Shontay Young's niece, Rickisha.

Fresques was not present to hear their words. He filed court papers asking the judge to let him skip his sentencing. Judge Lubeck allowed it after raising concerns that Fresques could appeal should he refuse.

After pleading guilty, Fresques shouted something in Spanish to one of his family members in court as he was escorted out.

"I love you!" one of them replied.

"Coward!" came a shout from one of Danielle Lucero's relatives.

Shontay Young's brother, Sean, broke down crying as he addressed the judge.

"There is nothing that can be done that can fill the void," he said of losing his sister.

Still, Sean Young said the families of the victims have bonded. They have found strength from each other throughout the investigation and prosecution. While grateful for the support, Danielle Lucero's brother told the judge he would give anything to have his sister back.

"David turned my family upside down," Danielle's mother, Theresa Espinoza, told the judge. "We aren't the same and we'll never be the same."

Outside court, Jarman's sister, Cathy Candelaria, said she was pleased with the sentence.

"I think it's perfect," she told FOX 13. "I'm against the death penalty, personally, and this is perfect for him. He will get to live in a teeny tiny cell all alone and he will die without dignity."