State Utah v. John Quas

We recite the facts from the record in the light most favorable to the jurys verdict. State v. Johnson, 784 P.2d 1135, 1137 (Utah 1989). On the evening of June 15, 1987, appellant John Quas and his wife Susan Quas were at home. Both had been drinking. The two began to argue and to discuss divorce. Sometime that evening, appellant allegedly shot and killed Mrs. Quas. At 9:41 p.m. appellant called the Salt Lake County 911 operator to report that his wife had shot herself. A police officer and paramedics arrived within four minutes of appellants call. Mrs. Quas was found dead, lying on some sheets in the living room with a gunshot wound in her left eye. Appellant said he had been in the shower, heard a gunshot, and came out to find his wife lying on the floor.