The Idaho State Police officer who was the target of a death plot is relieved the Ogden man who planned to shoot him will remain in jail.
Robert Laumann, an officer in Downey, said he was surprised the only defense Eric Wicklund's attorney could muster was that " `Eric was a bozo.' ""I think he's right," Laumann said.
Wicklund, 33, was convicted Monday by a federal jury in Salt Lake City on charges that he conspired to travel across state lines to commit murder. Wicklund is married to Laumann's ex-wife, Paige, and prosecutors said he wanted his wife to be able to collect on life insurance benefits and get custody of her children, who live with Laumann.
Wicklund's attorney had portrayed his client as a "bozo" who told stories about killing Laumann to bolster his weak self-esteem.
"Low self-esteem is not an excuse," Laumann said.
The defense attorney said his client changed his mind about the plot after he had given guns to his brother and left a Downey truck stop where they had met.
Laumann noted, however, that Wicklund was arrested shortly after he left the truck stop where an undercover officer sold him guns.
"Basically, they didn't have a defense, and he didn't have anything to lose by going to trial," Laumann said. "He's been through the legal system before and knows how it works."
Laumann still worries that his ex-wife might try to get custody of their children. He has had sole custody since she left him. "She's never made any real effort to visit the kids on a regular basis."
Laumann said his current wife and children are pleased with the jury's verdict. "It's what we expected and wanted."
Wicklund could be sent to prison for up to 10 years when he's sentenced March 22. He has been in Salt Lake County Jail since an undercover officer foiled the plot in early August.