Payson murder suspect allegedly said, 'I hope I didn't kill him'

The man accused in a fatal stabbing at a Payson party on Tuesday night was supposed to be backup for a fight, but didn't intend to kill anyone, his cousin told police after their arrest.

Keenan John Thompson, 25, was called by his 15-year-old cousin "to help him with an altercation" at a house on the 600 North block of 700 East, according to a probable cause statement filed Friday in 2nd District Court. Police said the teen was denied entrance to the party and "felt like he got mistreated."

Thompson told police that when he arrived, a man "came toward him in a fast/hurried manner" so Thompson grabbed a knife from his car and began "swinging at the male with his fists," the document states.

Thompson told police he did not know if he had cut the victim, 36-year-old William "K.C." Wright, who police said often had parties at his Payson home.

The cousin told officers he thought Thompson punched the man twice. Wright collapsed and the cousin saw "a large amount of blood," according to the statement.

Thompson told his cousin to get into his car and they drove to Spanish Fork. Along the way, Thompson threw the knife out the car window and stripped off a layer of clothes — he was wearing another shirt and another pair of pants underneath — and put the top layer in a Dumpster, the document states.

In Spanish Fork, the cousin said, Thompson "freaked out" and said, "I hope I didn't kill him."

Wright was stabbed in his throat and abdomen, the document states. Thompson is being held in the Utah County jail with bail set at $100,000.

Formal charges have yet to be filed.

afalk@sltrib.com