College President Larry Banks said his institution "knew nothing" of the homicide allegations, more than a year old, against Peter Uluave.

"The whole thing just broke loose on Friday," Banks said. "And now our human resources department is investigating it and dealing with it in the proper and legal way."

Banks said he was unaware of Uluave's June 2003 arrest on suspicion of negligent homicide, despite coverage in several Utah newspapers.

The charges stem from the May 17, 2003, death of Uluave's wife, Rebecca.

Authorities allege Peter Uluave stole prescription medications from his job at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and was using the drugs to treat his wife, who was suffering from burn wounds and panic attacks.

Uluave gave up his nursing license two months later, agreeing he "exceeded his scope of practice as a registered nurse when he administered IV medications to his wife without a physician's order to do so."

Nearly a year to the day after his wife's death, Uluave was charged with unlawful conduct and obstruction of justice. On Thursday, he was charged with capital murder.

Banks said Uluave was a medical assistant instructor at the West Valley City college. "We hired Peter and then this accusation just came out Friday, so I've suspended Peter," Banks said.

He did not say how long Uluave had worked for the college, referring that question to a human resources official who did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Student Amanda Smith said Uluave told her and other students that his wife suffered from burns as a result of the accident and later died from her injuries.

"That was his story," Smith said. "He had us all just feeling so sorry for him."

But officials at the time of Rebecca Uluave's death concluded the woman had suffered burns when she lost consciousness and fell into a bathtub, striking her head on the faucet and turning it on. One of the couple's four children found the woman, turned off the faucet and called a neighbor for help.

"He is a very charismatic guy and a very likable person," said Smith, who was in Uluave's Professional Procedures class. "Now I don't know what to believe about him."

mlaplante@sltrib.com