A Utah man who admitted during a jailhouse phone call that he made up a story about his girlfriend’s murderer was found guilty of her death.
Terence Trent Vos, 35, was found guilty of the May 2021 murder of his girlfriend, Shandon Scott, 32, according to a press release issued by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
Gill reported that the trial lasted six days and included a cross-examination of Vos by the prosecution, which was captured by KUTV, a local CBS affiliate.
Prosecutors questioned Vos about a phone call he had with a friend while incarcerated, in which he admitted to having a fight with Scott that night and shooting her.
Gill stated in the release that on the night of May 1, 2021, Unified Police responded to calls about a car accident in Salt Lake County.
When police arrived, witnesses reported seeing Vos in the driver’s seat and Scott in the passenger’s seat, “deceased from many gunshot wounds.”
Vos then allegedly attempted to steal a witness’ vehicle but was unsuccessful. Gill wrote that as officers arrived, Vos fled on foot.
Officers apprehended Vos quickly and took him into custody. During his interview with detectives, Vos claimed that two other men had shot Scott, a story he was reminded of while on the stand.
He was also reminded during cross examination (at around 19:57 in KUTV’s coverage) that he later spoke to a friend on the phone while in custody and told her that Scott was “stabbing” him and “shot her.” Vos admitted on the stand, “I did say that.”
The prosecutor read from a transcript, quoting Vos, who stated, “It was like we started fighting, and I don’t even remember what it was about. “She started stabbing me, so I shot her.” Vos reiterated, “I did say that.” He also admitted on the stand that “I did not have any stab wounds.”
When the prosecutor read back what he said to his mother on the phone while in custody, he stated, “I had made some whole other s— up.” Vos denied this, and the prosecutor concluded her questioning.
According to KSL, an NBC affiliate, an autopsy on Scott’s body revealed she had been shot 12 times prior to the car crash.
Vos was found guilty of one count of first-degree felony aggravated murder, three counts of first-degree felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of first-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
One count of second-degree felony obstructing justice, and one count of class A misdemeanor failure to stop at the command of a law officer. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23.
