Mixed verdict in Schanze case

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

Had he been convicted of the class A misdemeanor, Schanze would have lost his permit to carry a concealed weapon and potentially could have faced a year in jail.

But the four-man, two-woman jury did convict Schanze, 36, of making a false written statement, a class B misdemeanor, that potentially carries a sentence of six months in jail.

Schanze only minutes before his trial began Wednesday entered into a plea agreement that reduced another charge of reckless driving to a class C misdemeanor speeding charge, to which he pleaded guilty.

Third District Judge Royal Hansen set June 28 for sentencing on both counts and ordered a pre-sentence report. Although misdemea- nor convictions carry potential jail sentences and fines, Utah judges have the authority to suspend jail time, put an individual on probation and impose such sanctions as community service.

Prosecutor Chris Bown said he was happy with the verdict, which the jury rendered after deliberating for 3 1/2 hours. "We made our best case, and the jury made its decision, and we're going to abide by it," Bown said.

Defense attorney James "Mitch" Vilos said he was "mildly disappointed" in the verdict, although he respects the jury system. He said Schanze plans to appeal the written false statement conviction.

Vilos also suggested some changes in the law would be useful. "I think more work will be done in the Legislature to clarify some of the subtleties of the law," Vilos said, referring particularly to what constitutes the use of lethal force when defending one's property.

Schanze, with his wife, Teresa, by his side, meanwhile launched into a verbal tirade against the media outside the courtroom, accusing re- porters of destroying his successful computer business through "lies and distortions of the truth."

Schanze said the jury convicted him on the one charge only because of the "hate and contention" bred by the press.

"I believe in telling the truth. The fact that you guys are misreporting the truth, that's your sin, not mine," he said. "I still love you. I wish you wouldn't have told so many lies. Go forth and sin no more."

The charges stemmed from a May 21, 2005, incident in which three Draper residents followed Schanze and confronted him after he drove through their neighborhood to a hang-gliding park at Point of the Mountain. The three men testified they were incensed that Schanze was speeding and that they feared for the safety of neighborhood children.