Man who shot at trooper may get parole

UTAH STATE PRISON — David Lynn Williams says he remembers waking up, putting on his shoulder holster and getting his revolver.

But he says he doesn't remember pulling into the parking lot of a Cedar City AutoZone and opening fire on a Utah Highway Patrol trooper and his family as they left the store in December 2002. None of the family was injured in the shooting incident.

Williams says he also doesn't remember fleeing the scene, being stopped by police on I-15, jumping out of his car holding the gun and being shot six times by officers.

"No, I don't recollect it," Williams said Thursday at his hearing before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.

After pleading guilty but mentally ill to a charge of attempted murder, Williams, 54, was sent to the state mental hospital and is now at the prison, where he is serving a one- to 15-year sentence. During Thursday's hearing, he suggested that he was driven by mental illness and years of depression.

"I remember being suicidal. I couldn't shake it," he said.

It may have been a desire for "suicide by cop" that drove Williams to shoot at the UHP trooper, parole board hearing officer Jan Nicol said.

"I don't know," Williams replied. "I never could answer that. I never did know."

Williams underwent a partial lobotomy as a result of the gunshot wounds he suffered. The time he has been incarcerated has been spent taking classes and focusing on his mental health.

"The mental health reports almost describe you being a different person," Nicol said.

If he were to be released, Williams asked the parole board to put restrictions on him. He said he wants to live in a group home with structure to ensure he takes his medications, restricts his activities and has a curfew.

"I believe I can manage my mental health," he said. "I'm not the same person that I was back then."

Nicol said he likely would be paroled, with restrictions.

"I don't think you were in the right state of mind when you did it, but the injury you caused ...," Nicol said. "Suicide by cop is not OK. It's pretty selfish."

Behind him, members of Williams' family sat. Some were crying. As he turned to say goodbye, they offered him well-wishes.

"I love you, Dad," his daughter said between sobs.

Williams wiped away tears and turned back to Nicol before he left.

"That's a lot of pain there, too. My family," he said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com