This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A Murray woman and her uncle have resolved a 2004 homicide case against them by pleading guilty to lesser charges.

Brittany Lin Snyder, 31, and Clint Veon Snyder, 53, were charged in January with one count each of first-degree felony murder for the slaying of 24-year-old Michael Lewis, whose body was found stuffed into a garbage can in the basement of a vacant home on March 10, 2004.

Court documents say Brittany Snyder lured Lewis to the location on March 6, 2004, where Brittany Snyder stabbed him multiple times as Clint Snyder held him down.

Each of the defendants has recently pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree felony manslaughter, although Clint Snyder entered a so-called Alford plea, meaning he does not admit guilty but acknowledges there is enough evidence to convict him.

The crime is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Sentencing for Clint Snyder is set for Oct. 17 before 3rd District Judge Paul Parker. Brittany Snyder's sentencing is set for Oct. 31.

Lewis was reported missing to police by his mother on March 9, 2004. Charging documents say he had last been seen by family on March 6, when he left to go to Brittany Snyder's home and then failed to show up for work the following day.

In April of that year, police obtained a warrant to fingerprint Brittany Snyder, who also uses the alias Kat Snyder. But when police arrived, Snyder had cuts on her fingers and palm — injuries the woman inflicted on herself with the sharp end of a safety pin to tear up her fingerprints, according to witness statements to police.

Charges say that the same witness told investigators that Snyder was angry with Lewis and had arranged to meet him in a house in the 5300 block of Hamlin Street (570 West) on March 6. In the basement of the home, Snyder allegedly sprayed Lewis in the face with pepper spray before Clint Snyder grabbed him from behind and pulled him to the ground, prosecutors say.

Clint Snyder, who uses the alias Jay Snyder, then pinned Lewis to the ground so he could not move while Brittany Snyder, stabbed him several times, charges state.

During a police interview that occurred within days of Lewis' murder, Clint Snyder said he had heard on the news that the other man had been stabbed. But charges say police had not released Lewis' cause of death to the media.

A second witness told investigators that Brittany Snyder had asked if the witness, her boyfriend and members of the boyfriend's gang would be willing to kidnap Lewis and beat him up, according to charges. Snyder allegedly made the request four times.

A Salt Lake Tribune story from 2004 says that a few hours before his death, Lewis called a friend from his cell phone to say he was going to purchase marijuana from his dealer.