VERNAL — Attorneys involved in the capital homicide case of Vernal resident Lee Roy Wood have scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 10-11 in 8th District Court in Vernal. Judge Lynn Payne has been assigned the case.
Wood is charged in the July 6 shooting death of Roosevelt Police Chief Cecil Gurr at the Maverik Convenience Store in Ballard. He is also charged with two counts of attempted criminal homicide, first-degree felony aggravated assault, first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping and possession or use of a dangerous weapon.
He remains in the Uintah County jail, where he is being held without bail in solitary confinement.
The Uintah County Commission has retained Salt Lake attorneys Edward Brass and Walter F. Bugden to represent Wood on the charges. If he is convicted on the capital homicide charge, Wood could face a possible death sentence.
Investigators allege that Wood was abusing his female companion when Gurr responded to the report of a domestic dispute at the convenience store just over the Duchesne County line. When police arrived on the scene, prosecutors contend that Wood began firing shots. One of the bullets struck Gurr in the head, killing him instantly.
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