Vernal man charged with murder said he acted in self-defense

VERNAL — A Vernal man now charged with murder in the death of his roommate told dispatchers he acted in self-defense, according to court records.

William Robert Feldmiller was charged Thursday in 8th District Court with murder, a first-degree felony.

On Jan. 20, Feldmiller called Central Dispatch about 7:40 p.m. to report that he'd had “an altercation” with his roommate. “(Feldmiller) further stated to dispatch that he 'did it in self-defense,'” court records state.

Officers arrived at a trailer home at 65 E. 400 North, where they found Mark Lane “Joe” Bedwell bleeding from four stab wounds, said Vernal Assistant Police Chief Keith Campbell.

“There was a large amount of blood on the floor and the victim's clothing was also saturated in blood,” court records state.

Bedwell, 46, was transported to Ashley Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Officers said Feldmiller, 50, told them he had stabbed Bedwell. He was taken into custody. During questioning at the police department, investigators said Feldmiller told them he and Bedwell had gotten into a drunken argument.

“Feldmiller stated Bedwell continued to belittle and degrade him,” court records state. “Feldmiller stated he was pushed to the limit and stated Bedwell 'pushed his big red button.'”

At that point, officers said, Feldmiller told them he “went into a rage,” pulled a small hunting knife from a sheath on his belt and stabbed Bedwell. Then, he told detectives, he set the knife on a table and called authorities.

“Feldmiller kept repeating that Bedwell had pushed him too far,” court records state.

Feldmiller sought a civil stalking injunction against Bedwell in October 2009, according to court records. He alleged Bedwell had tried to forcibly evict him on Oct. 7 at 5:50 a.m. and again on Oct. 8 at 1 a.m.

“I took over the rent on his trailer, caught up all back rent and paid a couple months ahead,” Feldmiller wrote in court papers.

He described Bedwell as “boisterous” and “foul talking” as he threatened to “put me out without notice and move someone else (in), in my place.”

Eighth District Judge Ed Peterson denied Feldmiller's request, saying there was “no legal basis” to issue the stalking injunction.

Jeff Wagner, manager of Vernal Cab Co., said Bedwell was one of his “most gracious drivers.”

“He was a big Teddy bear,” Wagner said, adding that Bedwell was recovering from a broken hip suffered six months ago. “He didn't have a violent bone in his body.”

Feldmiller is being held in the Uintah County Jail on $250,000 bail. He is slated to make his first court appearance Monday.

E-mail: geoff@ubstandard.com

Twitter: GeoffLiesik