Aggravated murder, robbery trial begins

Before the four-day trial for a teen accused of killing a man in an aggravated robbery gone bad could even begin, there were questions about motive and the character of witnesses.

Thomas Soules, 21, is accused of killing David Farrimond, 42, around midnight on Sept. 8, 2007. Farrimond was found stabbed in the chest on Sept. 9 by family and friends.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors presented different pictures of the crime during opening statements Monday in 3rd District Judge Vernice Trease's courtroom.

Prosecutor Steve Nelson told jurors that Soules, who was 19 at the time, had just left a drive-in movie theater on Redwood Road. Soules' admission into the movie had been paid by a friend who demanded repayment.

Soules exited the vehicle in Kearns and found someone to rob in David Farrimond, who was in the parking lot of an LDS wardhouse located at 4311 W. 5740 South. He took the man's money, stabbed him and returned to the car. Nelson said friends of Soules as well as numerous police investigators will confirm this story.

He told the jury that these friends of Soules had "personal problems" and had made bad choices — two of them are in prison — but they were testifying in spite of potential danger to themselves because they want to do the right thing.

Defense attorney Teresa Welch told jurors that "all that glitters is not gold" and warned that although prosecutors may appear to have a "golden, rock-solid case," the evidence doesn't necessarily add up to prove the state's point. Welch said her client has waited two years for the opportunity to take his case to trial and is truly innocent.

She said the police failed to investigate leads offered even by Farrimond's own family. She said an autopsy showed Farrimond had cocaine in his system when he died and most of his family and friends believe he was killed in a drug deal gone bad. She said those former friends who are willing to testify are doing so because they have ulterior motives. She said their testimonies will be vague and inconsistent.

"No one saw Thomas Soules rob or kill David Farrimond," Welch said. "There is no physical proof that ties Soules to the crime scene."

She said police are to blame for relying on these "shady characters" and because of that, "the killer is still out in society."

Soules is charged with murder and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies.

e-mail: emorgan@desnews.com