PROVO — Calling his actions depraved, a 4th District judge sentenced convicted killer John Pinder to two consecutive life sentences in prison.
That's one life sentence in jail for each of his victims.
Pinder showed little emotion during his sentencing in Provo Tuesday, offering only a small smile to his parents. He appeared in Judge Lynn Davis' courtroom for the sentencing.
During the sentencing, Davis said he could not imagine the complete lack of humanity it would take to beat, kidnap, execute and demolish with explosives two other people.
"I'm not aware of any crime in the history of Utah that involved such a heinous . . . outrageous, cruel and depraved event," Davis said.
Pinder was convicted last August for the October 1998 deaths of Rex Tanner and June Flood.
A jury found Pinder guilty last August on two counts of capital murder — but granted Pinder the possibility of parole.
Although Davis' decision makes parole a remote chance for Pinder, the judge said there needed to be some accountability on the Duchesne County rancher's part.
"I don't find any remorse as it relates to any of the victims," Davis said.
Pinder was also sentenced to up to five years on two consecutive counts of abuse and desecration of a human body and two more consecutive 15-to-life sentences for aggravated kidnapping.
Pinder was also given terms for aggravated burglary, residential burglary, possession of explosives and tampering with evidence, all of which will run concurrent with his life terms.
Pinder's attorney, Andy Parnes, said he plans to file a motion for a new trial. He declined to say why he believes his client should have another trial.
Tanner and Flood worked at Pinder's JJNP Ranch. Prosecutors say Pinder, along with the help of ranch hand Filomeno Valenchia-Ruiz, broke into the couple's home, severely beat them and forced them into a vehicle at gunpoint.
Deputy Utah Attorney General Michael Wims said in court that Pinder then took the beaten and bleeding couple on a terrifying seven-mile ride. And in front of Tanner, the two men killed Flood.
"Rex's last moments were seeing June shot and knowing he'll not come out of this alive," Wims said.
After explosives were used to dispose of the bodies, investigators reported finding body parts scattered along the mountainside.
"I've had thoughts of revenge, uncontrollable bouts of anger," said son Blaine Tanner. "I have three sons and a daughter, and my dad won't see them grow up."
"I'd like to hit him over the head with a baseball bat, break his legs," said Lena Tanner, the mother of the victim, outside of court.
Davis noted there was no family to speak for Flood.
Blaine Tanner said his family is pleased with the consecutive life sentences. "Give me five minutes in a room with him, that's what I want," said Blaine Tanner. "What he did to my dad, there's no justice. There's not punishment that would match."
Giving Pinder the death penalty, he said, would have been "just too easy."
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com