Bail reduction requested in Orem murder case

PROVO — A judge will decide next week whether an Orem man charged in the shooting death of his brother-in-law can have his $1 million cash-only bail reduced.

Steve Strate, 54, appeared in court Thursday surrounded by friends and family, many of whom helped him raise the money.

Strate is charged with murder in the Oct. 25 slaying of Marvin Sidwell, 51. Strate called police immediately after the shooting and said his brother-in-law had attacked him with a chair.

A preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 27, and the bail hearing was scheduled for Dec. 10.

"Mr. Sidwell is still dead, so we think $1 million is appropriate in this matter," said prosecutor Craig Johnson.

— Paul Koepp