South Jordan woman sentenced to 5 years of probation in shooting death of estranged husband

A South Jordan woman was sentenced to five years of probation Friday after shooting and killing her estranged husband. A plea deal recognized that she thought she was acting in self-defense, though her actions were not legally justified.

A South Jordan woman was sentenced to five years of probation Friday after shooting and killing her estranged husband. A plea deal recognized that she thought she was acting in self-defense, though her actions were not legally justified. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)


1 photo
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — A South Jordan woman who pleaded guilty to shooting and killing her estranged husband while another man hid in a nearby dumpster was sentenced Friday to five years of probation.

Third District Judge Amber Mettler ordered Emilee Petersen Fisher, 48, to serve concurrent sentences of five years to life for felony discharge of a firearm, a first-degree felony, and one to 15 years in prison for manslaughter, a second-degree felony. But she suspended the prison time in lieu of "zero-tolerance" probation and warned Fisher that any violations of her conditions would be taken "very, very seriously."

Fisher pleaded guilty to the two charges as part of a plea deal that recognized that she thought she was acting in self-defense at the time, although her actions were not legally justified.

Fisher shot Ronald Fisher, 66, six times on March 19, 2021 as he was running away from the mattress business where they had lived at 583 W. Billinis Road in South Salt Lake. Police say she fired through the front glass door of the business at the estranged husband, who was outside the business. Police found another man hiding in a nearby dumpster. He told investigators he had been inside the building with Emilee Fisher when Ronald Fisher arrived and confronted him about being with his wife, charging documents state.

Utah Adult Probation and Parole recommended a prison sentence for Fisher, but Mettler agreed to a sentence of probation, which was something requested by prosecutors and Fisher's attorney.

Fisher said she remained silent through most of the court process because she did not want to be vulnerable or complicate the case, but Friday she said she wanted to express sorrow and remorse.

"I take full responsibility for my regrettable actions and for my poor judgment. I was afraid for my life and I acted from this fear, but I don't believe that that excuses all of my actions. My actions resulted in a loss of life, and a loss that was not necessary," she said.

Defense attorney Cara Tangaro said if the case had gone to trial, the judge would have heard more of a back story about the marriage, and seen evidence from others that her husband was an abusive man. She said Fisher understands she created and contributed to the chaos that ultimately led to her husband's death, including being at the warehouse with her boyfriend at the time. However, Tangaro said her client did feel threatened that night.

Salt Lake County deputy district attorney Vincent Meister said although he stands by the recommendation for probation as a sentence, he wanted to make sure her probation terms protect the community, and asked the judge to make sure she is not allowed to be in a place with firearms, contact known criminals or have access to other people's money through her employment.

The judge said staying away from firearms and criminals is normal for probation, and she ordered those conditions, and she also said a probation officer should approve any employment. Fisher was also ordered to maintain full-time employment or school.

One of the conditions of her probation includes continuing to make payments of $200 every month, working toward paying millions of dollars in restitution for a federal wire fraud case.

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Police & Courts stories

Related topics

UtahPolice & CourtsSalt Lake County
Emily Ashcraft joined KSL.com as a reporter in 2021. She covers courts and legal affairs, as well as health, faith and religion news.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

KSL Weather Forecast