'Super Dell' guilty on one count, acquitted of one

WEST JORDAN — A jury Thursday found Dell Buck Schanze, the former computer store mogul better known as "Super Dell" for his well-known TV commercials, not guilty of threatening or using a dangerous weapon during a fight.

However, the four-man, two-woman jury did convict Schanze of making a false written statement to police.

Both charges are misdemeanors. Third District Judge Royal Hansen set June 28 as a sentencing date for the written statement conviction and also for a speeding charge that Schanze pleaded guilty to only minutes before his jury trial began Wednesday.

Prosecutor Chris Bown said he was happy with the verdict. "We made our best case and the jury made its decision," he said.

Defense attorney James "Mitch" Vilos said he was somewhat disappointed with the mixed verdict and said Schanze plans to appeal the guilty conviction. Vilos also suggested that the state Legislature clarify the law regarding what constitutes lethal force when defending one's property.

The charges stem from a May 21, 2005, incident in which three men followed Schanze from their Draper neighborhood, where they said he had been speeding and jeopardizing children's safety.

A confrontation began, one man picked up a rock and threatened to break the tail lights of Schanze's car. Schanze, who was with his 8-year-old daughter at the time, pulled out a previously concealed gun, which he is legally allowed to carry — an action he later described as defensive for himself, his daughter and his car. Schanze then put the gun away. No one was hurt in the episode.

After the verdict, Schanze launched into a verbal tirade against members of the media, accusing them of spreading lies and distortions of truth that ruined his successful chain of computer stores.