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Cedar City • The brother of a murdered woman attempted to attack her killer at a sentencing Tuesday in Cedar City.
Jason Wilson, the brother of shooting victim Misty Lamoreaux, began crying while standing before 5th District Judge G. Michael Westfall.
"I don't understand. Why did you do what you did to her? … She loved you," Wilson said to the defendant, Tristan Jared Lamoreaux.
Wilson then lunged at a shackled Lamoreaux, who jumped up from where he was seated at the defense table. Several deputies swarmed Wilson and wrestled him to the ground.
"I'm sorry, so sorry," exclaimed Wilson as deputies handcuffed him.
Westfall ordered Wilson removed from the hearing, where he sentenced Lamoreaux to 15 years to life. Lamoreaux pleaded guilty in January to first-degree murder.
Misty Lamoreaux, 19, was shot five times in the head by Lamoreaux, 25, who claimed at his preliminary hearing that he was trying to wrestle a handgun away from his wife when it fired several times in their apartment. The couple had been married for a year.
During Tuesday's courtroom melee, several other members of the family sobbed in the public seating area. One was told to leave the courtroom after making loud comments.
Iron County Attorney Scott Garrett said later he plans to charge Wilson with disorderly conduct, a class A misdemeanor.
Before Wilson spoke, Misty Lamoreaux's aunt said she told Tristan Lamoreaux she was opposed to the marriage. She said she also tried to discourage her niece.
"I told her she had her whole life to make [a marriage] decision .... you deserve better and more in life," Karen Lees said.
Lamoreaux's attorney, Bryan Jackson, told Westfall that his client is having difficulty accepting responsibility for the crime.
"At times when he is thinking clearly he takes responsibility. At other times he gets defensive," said Jackson.
When Westfall asked him if he had anything to say, Lamoreaux replied: "No, your honor."
After the hearing, Lees said the family has been devastated by the murder. "Her mother will never get over it," she said.
She said Misty had trials and tribulations in her young life but wanted to make those around her feel good and talked about becoming a veterinarian.
"She loved animals," Lees said, adding Misty was the only girl in a family with four brothers. "She had a big spirit and was a delight. ... I'll miss her laughter."
Lees believes Misty was too young to recognize the dangers of abuse in her marriage and hopes her death will encourage other women in abusive relationships to seek help. Court records show that Misty Lamoreaux never sought a protective order against Tristan Lamoreaux.
"She [Misty] was young and did not recognize the dangers," said Lees. "She felt if she loved him more she could change him."