SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Prosecutors say they won’t file criminal charges against a Provo man who fatally shot his brother-in-law last month.
Cache County Attorney James Swink said in a statement Thursday 40-year-old Aaron Smith was acting in self-defense.
Authorities say Smith accompanied his sister to her Hyrum home Oct. 14 because she was having problems with her husband, 37-year-old Robert Van Hemert.
After they arrived, Van Hemert started arguing with his wife because she took out a loan to pay the rent.
Authorities say Smith stepped in to defend his sister and Van Hemert left the room to load a gun. When he returned with the gun, Smith pulled out his own weapon and shot his brother-in-law five times.
Prosecutors found Smith believed Van Hemert would kill him and the shooting legally justified.
