Utah Woman Charged with Attempt to Commit Murder
A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City has returned a two-count indictment charging Shawna Marie Chapman, age 30, with attempt to commit murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to the indictment, on February 10, 2016, Chapman attempted to murder an 11-month-old child by stabbing her in the abdomen and arm with a knife.
The indictment alleges that the assault resulted in serious bodily injury to the child and that Chapman committed the offense while accompanying a U.S. military service member in Spain.
Chapman was residing with her husband, a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
The indictment was unsealed on Friday afternoon following Chapman’s arrest and initial court appearance.
Chapman entered a plea of not guilty to both counts in the indictment at the initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul M. Warner.
A five-day jury trial will begin on June 26, 2017, in U.S. District Judge David Sam’s courtroom.
Chapman faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charges in the indictment with a mandatory minimum of 10 years.
Indictments are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in an indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The FBI and Air Force Office of Special Investigations are investigating the case.
Chapman was released from custody with standard and special conditions of release, including reporting to pretrial services as ordered, maintaining base housing with notification to pretrial services if housing arrangements change, travel restrictions, surrendering her passport, and complying with pretrial services on mental health and other health care issues.
The defendant also cannot stay at the home where the child is living.
Chapman’s attorneys will represent her during the trial.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christine Duey of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew Yeates and Andrea Martinez of the District of Utah.
Defendant’s Full Name: Shawna Marie Chapman
Criminal Charges: Attempt to commit murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury
City and State: Salt Lake City, Utah
Exact Date: February 10, 2016
Sentence or Outcome: Faces up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years if convicted
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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