By Rachel Ballard
A former BYU student was sentenced Thursday to one to 15 years in prison for the attempted murder of his pregnant wife. The sentence was the maximum that could be imposed in the case.
Paul William Turner, who turns 27 next week, pleaded guilty in March to four second-degree felony counts in the attempted murder of his wife, Sarah. During Thursday''s sentencing, three of the four counts were reduced to third-degree felonies as part of a plea agreement made with prosecutors.
The murder attempts took place during 2001 when Turner put rat poison in a batch of cookies, made spaghetti sauce containing what he thought were poisonous mushrooms and replaced with fish tank cleaner the medicine his wife was injecting to reduce the risk of blood clotting during her pregnancy.
Prosecuting attorney Jeff Buhman said Turner also researched the possibility of hiring a hit man, although he never did so.
According to defense attorney Tom Means, Turner attempted to kill his wife because he did not want her to find out he was addicted to pornography.
Sarah Turner, who addressed the court Thursday, said she was shocked to learn her husband had attempted to end her life.
'Before October, he was a good spouse, a good father, a good employee and a good church member,' she said.
Although she said she did not believe her former husband deserved leniency in the case, she asked the judge to help him get the treatment he needs.
'I ask the court to keep in mind the intent to help him become the good person I know he can be,' she said.
During the sentencing, Paul Turner told Judge Anthony Schofield he was ready to face the consequences of his crimes.
'I did go to the police with hopes of taking responsibility for what I''ve done,' Paul Turner said. 'I''m prepared to see that happen. I hope it will give my victims some peace of mind for awhile.'
According to Buhman, Paul Turner''s sentence could have been much harsher.
'Only because he was unsuccessful (in his attempts to kills his wife) is he faced with the possibility of a short prison term, instead of something like the death penalty,' Buhman said.
Means asked the court to consider that Paul Turner reported his crimes to his bishop and then turned himself into the police in the sentencing decision.
'None of us would be here had Mr. Turner not turned himself in,' Means said. 'What he has done about what he has done is extremely important.'
Although Schofield acknowledged Paul Turner''s decision to turn himself in, he said he could not conclude he no longer posed a threat to society.
'I don''t know to what extent he may still be a danger,' Schofield said.
Sarah Turner divorced her husband in April and was granted sole custody of their child.