Utah man to stand trial for allegedly shooting his wife

A Salem man accused of killing his wife was ordered to stand trial on a charge of murder Friday.

Tracy Scott, 47, is charged in Provo's 4th District Court with one count of first-degree felony murder in the March 23 death of his wife, Teresa Scott.

After hearing evidence about the alleged crime on Friday, 4th District Judge David Mortensen ruled that there was enough evidence for Scott to stand trial on the charge. He will be back in court on Nov. 7 for an arraignment.

According to a jail probable cause statement filed in 4th District Court, Scott called 911 on March 23 and told dispatchers that he shot his wife and she was dead. Scott identified himself to the dispatcher, and said he was not putting his gun down, according to the court record.

Salem Police Chief Brad James said police responded to the couple's home in the area of 400 E. 300 South about 7 p.m. and found the 47-year-old woman dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

When officers arrived, Scott told them, "I just shot her and I had a gun," before going back inside the house despite officer's demands to stay outside, according to the probable cause statement.

Scott eventually came out of the home and was arrested.

After talking with family members, police believe the couple had been involved in an "ongoing dispute" over the past several weeks, according to the probable cause statement.

James said the Scotts had a history of domestic violence dating back a number of years, but police hadn't been called there in the last few years.

According to Utah court records, Tracy Scott was charged with simple assault and child abuse/neglect in 2006. Those charges have since been dismissed as part of a plea in abeyance.

Scott is being held at the Utah County jail on $500,000 cash-only bail.

jmiller@sltrib.com

Twitter: @jm_miller