FARMINGTON -- Plea deals are in the works for two people charged in connection with a carjacking that led to a car crash that killed a 21-year-old woman.
During court appearances here on Wednesday for Anthony Cruz and Michelle Vigil, their lawyers indicated both were entertaining plea bargains. Cruz is charged with first-degree felony murder and three counts of aggravated robbery. Vigil, who was a passenger in the vehicles, is charged with robbery in connection with the carjackings.
Prosecutors have accused Cruz of carjacking a pair of vehicles before driving one of the stolen cars into a vehicle driven by Jazmyn Jeppson. The woman, who had recently returned from an LDS mission, was stopped at a red light at Parrish Lane when she was hit and killed.
Cruz made the offer for a plea deal, his lawyer, Todd Utzinger, told FOX 13 outside of court.
"He's wanted to accept responsibility from the beginning of this case," Utzinger said. "He wants to resolve it. He has, from the very beginning, expressed remorse."
Utzinger would not disclose the terms of the plea deal, but a judge ordered Cruz back to court later this month. Vigil's attorney also asked for more time to also discuss a plea deal. The judge canceled her pending trial and set a hearing out two weeks.
