West Valley City man convicted of murder, robbery

A jury Thursday convicted a West Valley City man of killing another man during what prosecutors described as a robbery over movie money.

Thomas Soules, 21, was convicted of murder and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies, after a four-day jury trial. Soules will be sentenced Jan. 22 by 3rd District Judge Vernice Trease.

The eight-member jury found that Soules was responsible for the Sept. 8, 2007, stabbing death of David Farrimond, 42. Prosecutors said Soules, then 19, had gone to a drive-in movie on Redwood Road and his ticket was paid for by a friend who insisted on being repaid.

Soules went to Kearns, came across Farrimond in the parking lot of an LDS church, stole money from Farrimond and stabbed him in the heart. Farrimond's body was found the next day.

A witness observed Soules earlier in the evening with a fixed-blade knife in a sheath. Later that night, the same witness saw Soules "visibly scared and sweaty," with blood on his hands, shirt and shoes, and the knife no longer around, according to court documents.

However, defense attorneys argued that an autopsy revealed the presence of cocaine in Farrimond's body, and said people who knew Farrimond well believe he died as the result of a drug deal gone wrong. Defense attorneys also questioned the motives of some witnesses who testified against Soules, suggesting they were less than credible and possibly wanted something in return for cooperating with law enforcement officials.

The jury went out at 1:15 p.m. and returned with a verdict about three hours later.

— Linda Thomson