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Alleged accomplice in officer shooting going to trial

Posted at 9:24 PM, Sep 30, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-01 09:22:46-04

DRAPER, Utah -- A Utah cop killer's alleged accomplice  is going to trial.

Traci Vaillancourt was in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing, facing obstruction of justice charges in last year's shooting death of Draper Police Sargent Derek Johnson. The judge said there is enough evidence to take this case to trial.

Timothy Troy Walker was sentenced to life behind bars for pulling the trigger, and his ex-girlfriend is accused of being  his  accomplice. Vaillancourt's lawyers say they're looking forward to going to trial.

Sgt. Johnson's widow, Shante says she is frustrated and wants closure.

"Timothy Troy Walker is in prison for shooting Derek for the murder and this should really be wrapped up and taken care of. We really wish the best for Traci Valliancourt. We don't wish anything bad upon her. We just really need this to be over. She needs this to be over. Her family needs it to be over. The community needs it to be over," said Shante Johnson.

Vaillancourt’s attorney told Fox13, "At this point, we've got to go back through transcripts, much of what was said today was merely allusions to statements.  The defendant's actual words were never brought into testimony and in the end, that's what's going to exonerate her," said Ryan Holtan. Holtan said they were encouraged by the court proceedings.

Vaillancourt’s next court hearing is scheduled for October 20.