Jury to get 'Dell' case

WEST JORDAN — Dell Buck Schanze, better known as Super Dell from his TV commercials, illegally whipped out a black Glock handgun during a verbal dispute with some men and then lied about it to police, prosecutor Cris Bown told a jury Wednesday.

Not so fast, replied defense attorney James "Mitch" Vilos.

Schanze simply relied on his self-defense training and felt threatened by these men — fearful for himself, his 8-year-old daughter and his Jaguar during an episode where strangers were yelling and one picked up a rock and threatened to smash his tail lights, Vilos said.

The five-man, three-woman jury heard testimony, sometimes consistent, sometimes conflicting, from both sides during a daylong trial on Wednesday. Closing arguments are scheduled for today, and the jury will then begin deliberations.

Schanze, 36, is charged with threatening/using a dangerous weapon during a fight, a class A misdemeanor, and giving a written false statement, a class B misdemeanor.

Just minutes before the trial began, Schanze entered into a plea bargain admitting he was guilty of speeding, a class C misdemeanor, going about 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. He originally was charged with class B misdemeanor reckless driving.

The charges stem from a May 21, 2005, incident in which Schanze and his daughter drove through a Draper neighborhood on the way to a hang-gliding park near Point of the Mountain.

Three men, angered by what they considered excessive speed that jeopardized their children playing outside, followed Schanze and a quarrel began.

From there, the versions differ.

Scott Tatum, one of the men, testified that voices were raised "a little" as the men talked to Schanze, who denied speeding and showed "no remorse, just arrogance." Questioned by Vilos, Tatum said Schanze made no verbal threats or gestures, did not swear and Tatum did not see the gun.

Clint Sanderson, another neighbor, testified that during the exchange Schanze said he was a great driver and offered to give the men driving lessons for $1,000 apiece. "I responded, 'Do you know you were doing 80 mph down our street, so I'm going to kick the tail lights out of your car,' " Sanderson said. "I was looking for an apology."

Sanderson said he picked up a rock, turned his back and walked away, holding the rock by his side. "Someone said, 'He's got a gun.' I looked up and saw him with a gun. He held it across his chest."