SALT LAKE CITY — Eugene Christopher Wright was sentenced to prison Friday for fatally gunning down a Springville businessman in the parking lot of a Sandy Village Inn in 2007.
Wright was ordered to serve a 15-years-to-life sentence for murdering Kenneth Dolezsar and received a five-years-to-life sentence for aggravated robbery for stealing his car.
Third District Judge Royal Hansen ordered that the sentences run consecutively because he said Wright never admitted guilt in the case and poses "a serious threat" to society.
"You are the one who planned these heinous crimes," Hansen said, adding that Wright also was the person who procured the gun, arranged a breakfast meeting with Dolezsar, disguised himself with a wig, fired five shots at Dolezsar's head and upper torso, and then fled in Dolezsar's vehicle, which was later found abandoned not far from the crime scene.
Dolezsar, who also coached men's hockey at Utah Valley State College, was shot to death Nov. 15, 2007. An eyewitness in a nearby car identified Wright as the man who fired the gun.
A jury convicted Wright following a trial and lengthy deliberations in April. Wright, however, has maintained his innocence all along and intends to appeal his case.
Matt Beaudry, who was Dolezsar's best friend and co-founder of the hockey team, asked the judge to impose the harshest sentence possible for a murder he described as "savage" and "brutally calculated."
Beaudry recalled numerous acts of kindness that Dolezsar showed toward young men on the hockey team, some of whom would never have been able to attend college without the hockey program. Dolezsar's generosity took place with no fanfare, but his caring nature affected the lives of thousands of people, he said.
"I wish the law would allow two or three life sentences. That might come close to replacing Ken Dolezsar's life," Beaudry said.
Robert Steed, Dolezsar's stepson and family spokesman, recalled Dolezsar's "infectious" good spirits, trusting and loving nature and compassion for others — he often grabbed people in a big hug and said, "Tell me something good that happened to you today."
The moment the bullets were fired, not only did Dolezsar's grief-stricken family and friends lose him, but "the world lost every great deed, every positive outcome, every kind gesture, every good thought and action that he would produce in his lifetime."
Steed termed Dolezsar a "one-of-a-kind" human being and said, "Ken was truly all about helping and serving other people even at his own great expense."
Meanwhile, Dave McCammon, a former neighbor and friend of Wright's, told the court Friday that he and other friends are convinced Wright never committed these crimes. "Chris would never admit guilt for something he did not do."
Outside the courtroom, McCammon called the investigation by Sandy police "inept" because it never explored others who might have been involved. He said Wright's family and friends have created the Justice Support Foundation to help bring more evidence to light that will exonerate Wright and identify the real killer.
Bianca Pearman-Brooks, Wright's wife, described him in court as a good, gentle and patient man who is innocent of these crimes.
"I didn't know Kenneth Dolezsar and feel nothing but pain for the wife and family who lost him. Nonetheless, I cannot adequately express the anguish of having my own husband taken away from me when he has done nothing wrong," she said. "I love him more than you can imagine."
Wright grew teary eyed when his wife spoke and, when it was his turn, apologized to the judge for being so emotional.
"Ken Dolezsar's death is a terrible tragedy. I, however, had nothing to do with that crime," Wright said. "I want people to know (the case's outcome) is just another tragedy."
e-mail: lindat@desnews.com