PROVO — Fear.
Over and over again, that word — with its images of heart-pounding anxiety and trepidation — filled a Provo courtroom Tuesday as the victims spoke about Ralph Jiron, who is accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill a woman who was going to testify against him in a sex-abuse case.
In August, Jiron pleaded guilty in 4th District Court to one second-degree felony count of criminal solicitation of murder plus five third-degree counts of incest.
In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors reduced the solicitation charge from a first-degree felony and dropped an additional count of criminal solicitation.
"He is a person I fear and will always fear," said one female relative, who testified that Jiron repeatedly raped her. She also said he would kick her when her menstrual period approached to ensure that
she never got pregnant.
Another woman said the vindication of seeing him charged, convicted and sent to jail will never outweigh the terror. "When I'm alone, I'm terrified to be alone," she testified. "I don't ever want to see this person out of prison."
Swayed by the testimony, 4th District Judge Steven Hansen sentenced Jiron to serve six consecutive sentences — a ruling that could mean 30 years in prison for the 59-year-old.
"Mr. Jiron is obviously not a young man," said defense attorney Phil Danielson. Consecutive sentences will "basically give him a life sentence."
For one man, that possibility isn't so bad. After all, Jiron admitted he hired a hit man to kill a potential witness and made threats against the man's young children.
Luckily, the man said, the hit man was an undercover officer.
"I am not going to look behind my shoulder for the rest of my life," said the man.
A male relative echoed those sentiments, detailing his fearful childhood. He said Jiron forced him to live in a shed from the time he was 11 years old. The man also said he suffered constant physical abuse, including being stripped down and doused in kerosene.
"He's a very manipulative man," said the male relative. "He likes to play the dumb guy."
According to his attorneys, Jiron wants to take responsibility for the things he has done.
Danielson said not all the accusations against Jiron have been proven true.
Now, Jiron's fate is up to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, which may deliver any sentence it deems appropriate, noting Hansen's judicial recommendation.
Whether the sentence lasts 10 minutes or until Jiron's last breath, his victims — his family — say that there will always be a lingering feeling — one that haunts a female victim's every move.
"There will always be fear," she said.
E-mail: lsanderson@desnews.com