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A judge has bound over a man for trial for a murder committed 25 years ago at a Laotian community dance in Salt Lake City.
Third District Judge Katie Bernards-Goodman ruled on Tuesday that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial for Vienphet Sundara on a charge of first-degree felony murder for the May 19, 1991, stabbing death of 25-year-old Youthaloth Oudanonh.
Oudanonh was stabbed outside the Indian Walk-in Center, 120 W. 1300 South, where the local Laotian community was holding a dance.
An arraignment for Sundara was scheduled for June 3 before Judge Todd Shaughnessy.
On Monday, a witness at a preliminary hearing said that Oudanonh had punched Sundara's brother in the face during a confrontation at a wedding party sometime before the dance took place.
Sundara, 47, now of Oklahoma City, was charged in January for the murder along with Hoomphanh Vanvilay, 44, of Roosevelt.
Vanvilay entered into an agreement earlier this month in which he plead guilty to second-degree felony manslaughter. He admitted causing the victim's death "as a party to the offense."
Witnesses said Oudanonh was stabbed after he left the building. He stumbled back to the entrance and collapsed.
A police officer who was providing security at the dance called in a description of the vehicle in which three suspects had fled, and a short time later an officer stopped a vehicle at the 900 South on ramp to Interstate 15.
Sundara, Vanvilay and Sundara's brother were in the vehicle.
Sundara had blood on his hands, face and clothing and Vanvilay had blood on his clothing, according to court documents. A knife with blood on it was found inside the car.
Prosecutors said the case languished for years because witnesses were reluctant to speak to investigators. Also, recent DNA tests not available at the time showed that Oudanonh's DNA was matched to the blood on Sudara's and Vanvilary's clothing and on the knife.