This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The man identified as the shooter in a deadly ambush-style drug-related robbery last year in South Salt Lake pleaded guilty on Friday.
Amar Miljkovic, 25, of West Jordan, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder in the Dec. 4, 2014, death of 32-year-old Orlando J. Roybal.
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed a charge of first-degree felony aggravated robbery.
Miljkovic faces a 15-years-to-life prison term when he is sentenced Sept. 11 by 3rd District Judge Katie Bernards-Goodman.
Also Monday, three co-defendants — Whitney Marie Connor, 28; Cameron Roger Fuger, 27; Chris Villiard, 29 — waived their right to a preliminary hearing. Arraignment hearings for the three are set for Sept 18.
The co-defendants are charged with one count each of murder and aggravated robbery. Connor, who allegedly admitted lying to police several times during the investigation, also was charged with one count of second-degree felony obstructing justice.
Police have called Roybal's shooting an "ambush."
"Whitney Connor told police that Amar Miljkovic needed money, so a plan was concocted to rob [a woman]," South Salt Lake police have said. "Cameron Fuger and Chris Villard were recruited to assist in the robbery."
Connor arranged to meet the woman on Leland Avenue (3015 South), and went there with Miljkovic, Fuger and Villiard in Miljkovic's SUV, according to charging documents.
That night, the woman drove Roybal to an area near 600 E. Leland Ave., where they met Connor. Once Connor got into the backseat, Roybal said, "We're about to get got," as several men wearing bandanas on their faces approached the vehicle, according to the charges.
Two men approached the driver's side, opened the door and allegedly demanded the woman's purse, while one of the men pointed a gun into the vehicle. One of the men then grabbed the woman's purse and shot Roybal multiple times, according to the charges.
Afterward, the woman saw three people run to a white SUV, charges state.
Roybal was taken by medical helicopter to Intermountain Medical Center, where he died. The woman who was with him was not hurt.
Within days, police arrested Connor, who said Miljkovic "was the only one that had a gun," charges state.
The court documents also say that, prior to the robbery, "Fuger stated that Miljkovic pulled out a gun and asked Fuger if he 'was ready for this?' " Fugar allegedly replied that he was.
Villiard also stated that Miljkovic was the only one who brought a gun, and that Miljkovic shot Roybal, according to the charges.
On March 20, police arrested Miljkovic and booked him into the Salt Lake County jail.