After deliberating for about 3 1/2 hours Wednesday, a 4th District jury found Joe F. Jiron guilty of first-degree murder for killing his ex-wife, Shelly Ann Jiron. Her body was found Dec. 17, 1991, inside her wrecked and burned car west of Utah Lake. Jiron also was found guilty of third-degree arson for setting the car on fire.
Jiron showed little emotion when the verdicts were announced about 3 p.m. He shook hands with his attorneys and waved to family members while being escorted from the courtroom. His family remained outside the courtroom for more than 30 minutes embracing each other and weeping.In closing arguments, Deputy Utah County Attorney Jim Taylor said Joe Jiron was distraught and tired of life when he left his West Valley home Dec. 16.
Jiron became distraught again when he found a love letter in his ex-wife's baggage the next day. He killed her and then tried to kill himself and cover up the crime by setting her car on fire.