Capital murder trial for Christian Sweeten cancelled

SALT LAKE CITY — A three-week jury trial for a man charged with two counts of aggravated murder was cancelled Monday to give the defense team more time to properly prepare for trial.

Christian Sweeten, 27, could face the death penalty if convicted of the September 2008 shooting deaths of Anthony Gaines and Michael Ehlert.

Sweeten turned himself in to police after the fatal incident occurred near 1000 West and 500 North, claiming that he was upset because the men gave him "bad directions," according to police. Sweeten also said he perceived the two men to be threatening at some stage and feared for his life.

In addition, Sweeten's fiancee told reporters that the two men were armed and that they fired first.

However, Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra Miller stated that her office did not believe Sweeten's claim of self-defense, adding that the two other men were each shot twice in the back with a .22-caliber rifle and there was no evidence they were armed.

Sweeten's next court appearance will be a scheduling conference on April 12.

— Linda Thomson