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AMERICAN FORK — A Springville man has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his son during a mental health crisis.
The adult son of Nathan Rex Roberts, 52, woke up on Sept. 21, 2023, to find his father pointing a handgun at his head. Roberts pulled the trigger but the weapon misfired and his son was able to get the gun away from his father, charging documents state.
Roberts broke down in tears and said he was sorry and couldn't believe what he had done. He was taken to the hospital for mental health treatment, and later told his family he had been planning for a few weeks to kill each of the family members and then himself, according to investigators.
"Nathan made the statement to them that he knew he would go to hell for this, but at least his family would be in heaven and not suffering anymore," according to the court documents.
As a result of a plea deal reached last week, Roberts pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted murder, a second-degree felony. The original charge was a first-degree felony.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. The plea statement said prosecutors agreed to recommend probation instead of prison, with the potential to reduce his conviction down to a class A misdemeanor if he successfully completes four years of probation.
Roberts was released from custody in November. After he pleaded guilty, 4th District Judge Roger Griffin decided his ankle monitor could be removed.
The judge did order that any firearms should be removed from his home, and he must be compliant with treatment recommendations.
His wife signed an affidavit saying she would ensure he takes his mental health medications, and would let his attorney know if he does not take the medication.
