Woman who shot husband gets year in jail

Becky Lynn Peacock, who fatally shot her husband during an argument in their kitchen, will spend a year in the Salt Lake County Jail and must get help for alcoholism and mental health problems during the 48 months she is on probation.

Peacock, 52, pleaded guilty to second-degree felony manslaughter as part of a plea bargain in the case. Third District Judge Timothy Hanson sentenced her Friday with the unusual probation condition that Peacock not receive or accept any financial benefit from the death of her late husband, Michael Peacock, including life insurance and property from probate court.

The couple began fighting April 16, 2004, after Becky Peacock observed her husband in the basement where a female visitor was soaking in a hot tub. The Peacocks went upstairs, fought in the bedroom and the fight continued into the kitchen, where Becky Peacock shot Michael Peacock at close range with a handgun.

Defense attorney Ron Yengich said Michael Peacock's life should be respected and his death not excused, but Yengich indicated Becky Peacock on the night of the fatality may have been engaged in self-defense, given the history of the turbulent marriage.

"I am very sorry," a weeping Becky Peacock said. "I loved him with all my heart."

She said she was sorry for all her husband's relatives and also for herself. "I shot my life away."

Relatives of Michael Peacock, however, painted a picture of Becky Peacock as a hot-tempered woman with a severe alcohol problem.

"She was a person who liked to control every situation she was in," said Craig Peacock, Michael's eldest son. "Unfortunately, she didn't have the education and training to argue a point, so she liked to use violence and threats."

Dennis Peacock, Michael Peacock's brother, said he has a serious medical condition and was relying on Michael to take care of his family in case his illness got worse. But that cannot happen now.

"I've been appalled by the lack of remorse on Becky's part," Dennis Peacock said. "There is no justification in the world for this deadly act."

The judge said sentencing Becky Peacock to prison would eliminate his control over her, but putting her on probation for four years after her jail term ends means he still has the power to monitor her behavior, especially her treatment for drinking and mental health problems.

Hanson also said that some individuals would argue that a jail term is worse than prison because the prison offers so many things to do.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com