This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 33-year-old Emery County man was sentenced to jail and probation in connection with a woman who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his home.
Randy John Behling pleaded guilty in October to two counts of reckless endangerment, class A misdemeanors each punishable by up to a year in jail.
On Tuesday, 7th District Judge Douglas Thomas sentenced Behling to six months in jail and 36 months of probation. He will begin his sentence next week.
Behling was arrested after his good friend, 22-year-old A'Lisa Joy Weston, fatally shot herself while inside his Ferron home on July 28. He later admitted he "recklessly allowed" Weston to have access to a loaded firearm while his four young children slept in nearby bedrooms, according to court documents.
Behling was originally charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, four counts of reckless endangerment, and carrying a dangerous weapon under the influence of alcohol, a class B misdemeanor.
Defense attorney Stephen Killpack said the sentence was harsher than he expected given that the charges to which Behling pleaded guilty had to do with his children, not Weston's death.
"Believe me, no one feels worse about her passing than he does," Killpack said. "They were very close. He misses her very much."
Since his arrest, Behling has completed an in-patient alcohol program. Killpack said Behling hasn't had a drop to drink since Weston's death.
Behling is to continue in sobriety throughout his 36 month probation, Thomas ordered.
The judge also ordered Behling to participate in substance abuse therapy, mental health counseling, submit to DNA testing and have no contact with Weston's family.
Twitter: marissa_jae