Billy Joe Price has been convicted of a lesser offense of murder and faces a possible sentence of five years to life in prison for the shooting death of his girlfriend.
The 12-member jury deliberated for slightly more than seven hours Tuesday before rejecting the prosecution's pleas that Price be convicted of aggravated murder and face a possible death penalty for the slaying of Katherin Minette Scott, 25.Price, 31, sat quietly and did not react when the verdict was read about 5:40 p.m.
Following the verdict, Price pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon.
Second District Judge Stanton Taylor has the discretion of enhancing the penalty by five more years because Price used a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Sentencing was set for April 5.
Deputy Weber County Attorney Kristine Knowlton said she was glad it was over, "And I'm pleased with the jury's verdict."
Darletha Scott, the aunt of the victim and guardian of the 2-year-old daughter the couple had fought over, said, "I wish he'd got the death penalty."