Man hired to kill girl's boyfriend gets 165 days in jail


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OGDEN — A man contracted to kill an unwanted boyfriend said in court Thursday that he never intended to harm the man, but used the money to get an apartment.

David Allen Northcutt was broke and had nowhere to go on the night that, while drinking with a friend, he was offered money in exchange for the killing. Part of the payment was offered up front, and Northcutt took it.

"I'm sorry for what I did, I had no intent on killing him," Northcutt, 41, told the judge at a sentencing hearing Thursday. "I was homeless at the time, I just took the money."

Northcutt was allegedly hired earlier this year by Joseph Larry Lopez, 59, to kill his adult daughter's boyfriend, according to Riverdale police.

Lopez paid Northcutt $1,000 in cash up front and promised an additional $4,000 once the deed was completed, according to charging documents. Police say Northcutt promised to shoot the boyfriend "between the eyes" with a gun he owned.

But about two hours after receiving the $1,000, Northcutt apparently changed his mind, according to the charges.

Two weeks later, both Lopez and Northcutt called police amid an argument over money owed and refunds. Detectives were able to figure out what was going on as they questioned the men about the argument and arrested them both.

A motive for the proposed killing has not been released.

Northcutt pleaded guilty in July with attempted aggravated murder, a third-degree felony, as part of a plea deal. He had initially been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, a first-degree felony. He was sentenced Thursday to an additional 60 days in jail, having already served 105 days, before being released on probation.

No victims in the case were present to address the judge and no impact statements were filed in court records.

From the back of the courtroom, friends present to support Northcutt quietly celebrated the favorable sentence. Northcutt's fiance, who has been caring for the apartment, declined further comment as she left.

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Second District Judge Michael DiReda urged Northcutt to use the extra time to find a job, while waiving a fine in lieu of community service.

Deputy Weber County attorney Christopher Shaw expressed concern for the short incarceration. While the deal was likely fueled by alcohol, he said, Northcutt and Lopez took at least initial steps in planning the hit.

"In my mind, 105 days doesn't seem adequate to me given the level of conduct," Shaw told the judge. "They carried out another step, they went to this person's place of employment."

Northcutt's attorney, Sean Young, emphasized his cooperation throughout the case and noted that he hasn't been in trouble with the law for over a decade.

The case against Lopez is ongoing. After several delays in court appearances, Lopez pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, at a preliminary hearing Aug. 20. Court documents indicate Lopez had been hospitalized.

Lopez is scheduled to appear in a disposition hearing Oct. 15, where the case must either be resolved or set for trial, according to court documents.

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McKenzie Romero

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