$1M bail for man in slaying of in-law

PROVO — A $1 million cash-only bail was set Monday for an Orem man accused of killing his brother-in-law.

Fourth District Judge Samuel McVey set bail for Stephen E. Strate, 54, Monday and told him to surrender his passport if he does bail out of the Utah County Jail.

Police believe Strate shot Marvin Sidwell, 51, seven or eight times Sunday in a basement bedroom of the house where Sidwell lived with his mother at 433 S. 360 West in Orem. But neighbors and business associates painted a very different picture of Strate, describing him as a considerate, generous and helpful man.

Appearing by video Monday in an orange jail shirt, Strate said he is self-employed in a crane company.

His attorney, Steve Allred, said Strate is not a flight risk. Allred, accompanied by Strate's adult son, declined to comment further after the hearing.

Prosecutor Craig Johnson said Strate called police within minutes of the incident about 12:30 p.m. and allegedly confessed to shooting Sidwell. Strate surrendered when police arrived, placing a .38-caliber handgun registered in his name on the porch and putting his hands, still holding his cell phone, above his head, Johnson said.

The prosecutor called the shooting a "cut-and-dried case of murder in the first degree." He declined to comment on what Strate's motive may have been.

Johnson said he believes Strate will be able to make bail. "We're talking about someone who apparently has access to resources" related to his business interests, he said.

Strate is scheduled to appear in court next Monday to hear the charges against him.

People who know Strate on Monday told the Deseret News he is a doting family man, a generous neighbor and an accommodating, hands-on landlord.

Next-door neighbor Frances Zamboni, an 86-year-old widow, said Strate cooked breakfast for her every Saturday and Sunday for the past four years, except when he was out of town — and on those occasions he always called to make sure she was fine.

When his mother died, Strate told her, "I want you to take her place," according to Zamboni.

"He couldn't be a better man," she said. "I'm just heartsick. I can't imagine what happened. I'd do anything I could to help him."

Shauna Millet, another neighbor, said Strate and his wife are "great people."