Brain-damaged son charged in the slaying of his parents

Family members say a man charged Friday with the murder of his parents suffered brain damage when a pickup truck overturned on a central Utah road years ago.

The truck had to be lifted off of Peter S. Sharp, said the uncle, Kelly Sharp, and it left the now-26-year-old with memory problems and other impairments.

"He just walks around in a daze," Kelly Sharp said. "Every time I've seen him he doesn't really know who you are."

The Emery County Attorney's Office on Friday charged Peter Sharp with two counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony potentially punishable by death. He also is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a shotgun at his 12-year-old sister after shooting William and Charmaine Sharp. Emery County Sheriff Lamar Guymon has said Peter Sharp on Wednesday morning picked up a shotgun and killed his father, William Sharp, 51, in the bedroom of their Castle Dale home, then killed his mother, Charmaine Sharp, 54, in the kitchen. Deputies found Peter Sharp walking on Main Street a few minutes later and arrested him.

Kelly Sharp could not recall the exact date and location of the truck crash and Utah Highway Patrol offices, which might have a record of the wreck, were closed on Friday. But the uncle recalled Peter Sharp was riding with a brother and a cousin between Castle Dale and Annabella when the truck overturned.

Peter Sharp went on to receive in-patient treatment but had moved back home

with his family before the shootings, Kelly Sharp said. Peter Sharp, who is the oldest of 10 children in the family, remained active in the family, going on fishing trips to Flaming Gorge and attending family functions.

At his sister's wedding recently, Kelly Sharp said, "'How you doing Peter?' And he's like, "Who are you?' "

Guymon has said there's no indication a dispute in the home spurred the shootings and Peter Sharp's mental disability appears to be the cause. Kelly Sharp described his brother and sister-in-law as "very understanding" parents who taught values to their children. Kelly Sharp said he could not recall the family ever arguing.

Kelly Sharp does not think his nephew should go to prison. He favors some sort of treatment facility.

"At least he can get some treatment and figure out in his own mind what happened," Kelly Sharp said.

Peter Sharp's first court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in Castle Dale. He is being held without bail in the Emery County jail.

ncarlisle@sltrib.com