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Show 2IJ The Salt Lake Tribune, Frida)', January 24, lb Reluctant Witness Tells Murder Trial of Phone Call By Ten Gomes Tribune Correspondent COALVILLE Accused murderer Preston Mitchell's boyhood friend, Sean Sears, Miami, told jurors Thursday that in the early morning of Aug 5, 1984, after Pan Am Airline pilot Fred Duncan was fatally shot in Park City he received a collect call from Mr Mitchell When questioned about the conversation, Mr Sears said "to the best of my knowledge, he said he had blown someone away e Mr Mitchell is charged with murder Mr Duncan was shot in the head Aug 4, 1984, at the Park City home of Brian Oliver Mr Mitchell was indicted by a Summit County grand jury in May 1985 and was arrested by FBI agents in Springfield, Mo, in October 1985 Trial began for Mr. Mitchell Tuesday here Mr Sears told the jury Mr Mitchell had loaned him money for a home and that they had known each other since the eighth grade Mr Sears said he and Mr Mitchell were like brothers. Summit County Assistant Attorney Terry Christiansen pointed out that Mr Sears had been subpoenead to appear to testify and he had fought the subpoena in Florida first-degre- Under tross examination from Mr Mitchells attorney Ken Brown, Mr Sears revealed the defendant had been such an exemplary high school student that he had skipped the 12th grade and spent that year working with the Dade County attorney in Florida Jeanette Guffy, an AT&T telephone operator, was working in the early morning the day after Mr Duncan was slain She said she placed a collect call a little after 2 a rn from a coin phone in the Park City area by a man who said his name was Preston Its an emergency," she quoted the man as saying She said Mr Sears in Miami was accepting the charges on the call and she overheard the man placing the call say "there has been an accident A man tried to rip me off He had a gun and I killed him Thomas Greco, Tucson, testified he was with Preston Mitchell and Mr. Mitchell's sister Kim and two other women the night of Mr Duncans slaying attending a concert in Salt Lake City After the concert at the Salt Palace, he said he overheard Mr. Mitchell cursing loudly as Mr Mitchell was making a telephone call of being put . he was tired He was around with all the bull tired of being involved with 'his business," meaning the person with whom Mr Mitchell was supposedly speaking But, Mr Greco said Mr Mitchell wouldnt tell him the nature of the call Mr Mitchell then changed his plans for the evening, Mr Greco testified, and left the two women at a private club in Salt Lake City Mr Mitchell then had Mr Greco and Mitchells sister drop him in the parking lot where Ralph Gardners apartment is in Salt Lake City Mr Gardner, Mr Greco testified, is an acquamtence of him and Mr. Mitchell Mr Mitchell then told Mr Greco and his sister to check into a hotel in Salt Lake City According to Mr Greco, Mr Mitchell said he had to take care of some business. Mr Greco also testified that Mr. Mitchell got into the trunk of Mr Grecos car and took out some $19,000 You get out of here and leave me alone, Mr Greco claimed Mr. Mitchell said We were supposed to wait for him, Mr Greco added Mr Greco said he called Mr. Olivers house in Park City around 11 QlEEQQvT p rn and couldn't get through So, Mr Greco testified, he tailed Park City resident Hank Verrone who went to the Oliver residence to check the phone Mr Verrone died in a du k hunting accident on the Great Salt Lake in October, 1985 Mr Greco said Mr him back at 1 30 p m thing was fine at the Mr Greco said he private club in Salt stayed until closing 1 Verrone called and said everyOliver home then went to a Lake City and He returned to his hotel Around 1 a m , Mr Greco testified, Ms Mitchell took a series of phone calls from her brother Mr Greco said he then got a call from Mr Sears in Miami, who said dont go anywhere Preston needed us to be there when we called He needed some help " Mr Greco said he and Mr Gardner later went to a condominium at Park-Weto pick up Mr Mitchell his face was "His hair was wet . he had been bleeding," scratched Mr Greco said When asked what happened, Mr Greco claimed Mr. Mitchell said he had "walked into an ambush, the police opened fire, he got hurt and " somebody else got hurt ... SHORiWEEKDAYSjjTIU O03i iffi Minn n DRASTI&REDUCTIONS . PAST FORWARD """" r Anticipate spring with the bag that carries by-gon- e romance into tomorrow. The floral tapestry handbag from Julius Resnick with leather straps, intiqued frame and " SERTAPEDIC lib fttfiflwu (ED OEBOOHIIi 0D DRASTIQREDUGTIONS very conveniently attached coin purse. $33 in Fashion W30 Handbags at ZCM1 Past due now. HEEHQi . Extras make Excellence (JED (Jut Personal Shopper ser ite tan asQ t help mi aemble the ensemble to t (implement your new bag Call lor tout appointment today at 12 1 FAMOUS BACK'RESTJII hWib full!size'sets 1 FAMOUSBACK RESTJII 09 irCTn am s ced HD 0GB GHI3D SD CESS 0Q3 (te QEB gDmroCrH (rnmzfmy&im SOFA I |
