Show Former Instructor Charged With Rape Burglary and Murder By Greg Black BlackStaff BlackStaff BlackStaff Staff Writer Michael DeCorso was hired as an adjunct emergency medical technician instructor at because of his special special special cial saving life-saving skills His arrest est on charges of taking a life has his former fonner workers co-workers shaking their heads I was shocked I found it hard to believe said Russ Malone EMT course coordinator and DeCorso's immediate supervisor If It I was hurt Id I'd want him working on me DeCorso was arrested on February 10 of this year after a year old woman claimed heran he heran heran ran over her with his van in a botched murder attempt It was while in jail on this charge that he was implicated and charged in the February 15 15 1994 murder of Payless Shoe Source employee Margaret Martinez a crime that shocked residents along the Wasatch Front and had police in investigators investigators investigators in- in stymied Detective Sergeant Bob Shober of the West Jordon Police Department Department Depart Depart- ment took a chance after hearing about the nature of DeCorso's arrest and ran his fingerprints Shober said they matched prints found on duct tape wrapped around Martinez's Martinez s 's ankles According to a story in the May 4 Salt Lake Tribune DeCorso is also charged with the aggravated burglary of a Draper Payless store on September 17 1994 He is also charged with the rape of a year 29 old woman at the Haunted Old Mill on October 23 1992 DeCorso started teaching at in May of 1994 He taught emergency evacuation using a backboard backboard back back- board pediatric rescue and was a lab assistant for on hands-on labs DeCorso wasted little time earning earning earning earn earn- ing the respect of both colleagues and students He was a damn good instructor and the students loved him Malone said recalling department group excursions excursions ex ex- excursions ex- ex to Dees restaurant I was told he was divorced but buthe buthe buthe he never gave any indication of any problems Malone said Several times he was the best rated instructor in student evalu evaluation tion forms Malone said His teaching skills were very good said James Hoffman law enforcement academy director He taught a four hour class in obstetrics and he probably taught that class three times since he was hired so its it's not like he was a real instrumental part of the college DeCorso was a time full-time employee of the Gold Cross Ambulance Service and also worked time part-time for the Midvale Fire Department He last taught class at on January 28 1995 He was okay very nice and knowledgeable He seemed to be interested interested in interested in- in in what he was doing a former student said Its kind of creepy knowing what I know now and you know being so close the student said DeCorso could get the death penalty if found guilty of the charges charges char char- but those he came in touch with at remember a dedicated en- en p Y y w wf f i 1 i i. i y rw f Tf f f l. l ti i I J. J f. f f. f I Photo Courtesy of or Sheriffs Office Michael DeCorso who taught lifesaving lifesaving lifesaving life- life saving techniques at Salt Lake Community Community Community Com Com- College is now charged with aggravated murder He is also charged with burglary and rape young EMT I 1 wont won't t say I Ive I've ve never had anyone say he was a bad teacher but you get that with all the instructors instructors instructors tors Malone said His work was superb and he is a damn good EMT I like Mike and I hope he works through it it |