MEAGAN DAKOTA GRUNWALD

On July 8, 2015, Ms. Grunwald was sentenced to 25 years to life for the aggravated murder, 15 to life for attempted aggravated murder, and additional terms for her various other crimes.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on January 30, 2014, Sgt. Corey Wride of the Utah County Sheriff's Office stopped to assist a white Toyota Tundra parked along Highway 73 in Eagle Mountain, Utah. After making contact with the occupants in the vehicle, Sgt. Wride returned to his vehicle and was typing on his computer. Jose Angel Garcia Juaregui, a passenger in the Tundra, opened up the back window of the Tundra and fired 7 shots at Sgt. Wride. While still firing the shots, Meagan Grunwald, the driver of the Tundra, sped away. Sgt. Wride died from injuries sustained from the gunshot wounds. Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes later, the Tundra was spotted in Santaquin, Utah and Deputy Greg Sherwood began pursuit. During the pursuit, Grunwald aggressively applied the brakes--closing the distance between the Turndra and Deputy Sherwood's vehicle-- while Juaregui once again opened the Tundra's back window and fired several shots at Deputy Sherwood. Deputy Sherwood suffered a serious injury to his head but he survived the gunshot wounds. Additional officers pursued the Tundra into Juab County where the pair carjacked a vehicle and continued fleeing. Officers were able to spike the tires of the newly carjacked vehicle and after crashing the vehicle, both Juaregui and Grunwald jumped from the vehicle and attempted to flee. Officers exchanged gunfire with Juaregui and Juaregui was shot and killed.

On April 28, 2015, a jury of six women and two men began hearing evidence in the case against Meagan Grunwald. After almost two weeks of trial, where nearly 70 witnessed testified, the jury found Grunwald guilty of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felony discharge of a firearm, evading police, criminal mischief and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. Grunwald was found not guilty of one count of attempted aggravated murder. Grunwald will be sentenced on July 8, 2015, and faces the possibility of life in prison.

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