Font ResizeOrem businessman Stephen E. Strate has been formally charged with first-degree felony murder for the Oct. 25 shooting death of his brother-in-law, Marvin Sidwell.
Strate, 54, was arraigned Monday in 4th District Court. On Tuesday, he was released from the Utah County jail after posting bond with a $1 million cashier's check. Strate is scheduled to appear in court again Friday.
Immediately after the shooting, Strate -- the owner of Steve Strate Crane Service -- reportedly called 911 to report he had shot Sidwell "six or seven times" with a .380 handgun.
Strate told the dispatcher, "He came at me with a damn chair," according to court records.
Strate also told the dispatcher that his wife was outside with him waiting for police, and that his mother-in-law, who owns the home, was inside.
In the basement, police found Sidwell, 51, dead from multiple gunshots to his head and body.
A .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun, which was identified as the homicide weapon, was found on the front porch of the home.
