From Deseret News archives:
Guilty plea in Syracuse girl's death
Ryan William Andrews, 38, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a deal with prosecutors here in 2nd District Court on Monday. Davis County prosecuted dropped a charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
Andrews' guilty plea included a graphic confession that was read aloud in court.
"Although I did not intend to cause Shelby's death and sincerely regret the actions that I engaged in toward Shelby, I acknowledge and recognize that the abusive conduct that Angela and I engaged in caused Shelby's death," Andrews said in a statement that was read by deputy Davis County Attorney Mike DiReda.
Andrews sobbed, his body shaking, as the statement was read aloud. Family gathered in the courtroom also cried as the confession was read.
Prosecutors said Ryan Andrews made the confession on Friday at the Davis County Jail. Andrews is expected to be called to testify against his wife, Angela.
In his graphic statement, the Syracuse man said he came home from work on Aug. 2 and spoke to Angela about problems she had with Shelby.
"Angela and I decided to put Shelby into a linen closet, remove the door knob to prevent her from getting out, and forced the door shut," the statement obtained by the Deseret Morning News said. "Angela and I knew the space between the shelving in the closet and the closet door was too small for her to fit, but we put her into the closet anyway and forced the door shut. We then left the room and went to watch television."
As they were watching television, Andrews said that Shelby called out claiming she could not breathe and was throwing up in her mouth.
"I started to get up to let her out, but Angela told me not to let her out because Shelby was just trying to play me," Andrews wrote.
He said when they later opened the door, Shelby's body fell to the floor. She was dead.
In his statement, Andrews said that he knew Angela had been abusing Shelby for some time. Earlier in the day, Andrews said his wife made Shelby eat her own feces as punishment for having an accident. Two weeks earlier, Andrews claimed he saw his wife sexually assault the little girl with a Lysol can and her heel.
"This method of abuse and others occurred over the days and weeks immediately preceding Shelby's death and also included Angela repeatedly slamming Shelby's head into the stairs in our house," he said in the statement.
As prosecutors finished reading the statement, Judge Michael Allphin looked at Andrews.
"Is that what happened Mr. Andrews?" he asked.
"Yes," Andrews replied quickly.
Andrews is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22. Davis County prosecutors are still preparing for trial against Angela Andrews, 36. She is also charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse of a child, both first-degree felonies.
Deputy Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings said no plea deal has been offered to her.
"We have had no discussions with Angela or her attorneys," he said. "It is not contemplated that there will be any."
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
