Jury finds Eugene Christopher Wright guilty of murder in Sandy shooting

WEST JORDAN — After deliberating for 11 hours, a jury Friday found Eugene Christopher Wright guilty of murdering prominent Springville businessman and hockey coach Kenneth Dolezsar, who was gunned down three years ago in the parking lot of a Sandy restaurant.

The jury also found Wright guilty of aggravated robbery for stealing Dolezsar's car after the shooting.

Wright shook his head slightly as the verdicts were read.

Third District Judge Royal Hansen set sentencing for May 28.

Dolezsar's widow, Dee Mower, was crying softly as the court clerk read the verdicts. Surrounded by family, she left the courtroom with tears in her eyes while holding hands with family members.

Across the courtroom, Wright's wife, Bianca Pearman-Brooks, had friends clustered so closely around that her face was shielded. Just before the verdicts were read, she briefly rested her head on a friend's shoulder.

Mower's son, Barry Steed, later said the jury's decision will help his family.

"It was a horrible day when we got the information that Kenny had been killed and today is the start of a healing process," he said. "We're not a vengeful family, but in the heinous way that Kenny was taken from us, we hope the judge will consider that and justice will be served."

Steed praised his step-father, calling him a pillar in the community who was loved by all who knew him.

"There's no way to bring him back. We just have to move on. And this day is a start for us to be able to do just that," Steed said.

Steed declined to speculate as to what would motivate Wright to kill his step-father. Steed was asked what he thought should be done regarding David Novak, a man described in court as a "con man" who had business dealings with both Wright and Dolezsar, and who the defense team suggested might have been the killer.

Steed said he hoped there would be more investigation into Novak, but did not elaborate.

A group of Wright's friends from the United States and Britain, who looked somber, quickly left the courthouse following the verdict.

Jurors also declined to say anything as they headed to their cars in the parking lot.

Defense attorney Ed Brass later said he was extremely disappointed, but said he would never criticize jurors for the difficult task they must perform.