This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A three-day preliminary hearing has been set to begin Nov. 18 for a man charged with killing an elderly Murray woman and setting fire to her home earlier this year.
Christen James Spencer allegedly killed Shirley Sharp, 84, on Jan. 25.
Spencer, 49, is charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated murder — which is potentially punishable by death — aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated arson and failure to stop at the command of police.
According to court documents, Spencer was linked to the slaying by a traffic stop, during which he was allegedly driving the victim's car, and by the victim's DNA on his clothing.
Also, Spencer was in possession of property missing from Sharp's home, including a prescription bottle belonging to Sharp's late husband, according to charging documents.