Murder charge for Orem man

PROVO — Stephen E. Strate was surrounded by friends and family Friday when he was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, in 4th District Court.

Defense attorney Ron Yengich said Friday that evidence shows this was an issue of self-defense. But prosecutor David Sturgill said the state wouldn't have charged Strate with murder if it didn't have the evidence to support it.

"We charged murder because we reviewed the evidence, and we believe that charge is appropriate under the circumstance," Sturgill said.

Police said that on Oct. 25, Strate, 54, of Orem, shot and killed his brother-in-law, Marvin Sidwell, 51, in the basement of the house in which Sidwell lived. In the 911 call Strate made shortly after the shooting, he told the dispatcher that his brother-in-law came after him with a chair and that he shot Sidwell "six or seven times."

Yengich also filed a motion Friday to reduce bail, which was set at $1 million cash only. Strate had already made bail Tuesday with help from his friends and family, but Yengich said he wanted to pay back his friends and that the bail amount was "simply too high."

"He has great family support and support from the community," Yengich said.

Another hearing will determine whether the bail will change. However, Sturgill said the bail amount isn't unreasonable, and the state is not going to agree to lower it.

Strate's next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

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