Stephanie Guthrie booking photo from the Cache County Jail.
SALT LAKE CITY — A 34-year-old Clarkston woman, accused of assaulting a couple at her home in July, has waived her right to a trial and accepted a plea deal that could still send her to prison. Stephanie Guthrie remains in a in-patient treatment center, where she was transferred to after being released from the Cache County Jail on pretrial supervision.
Guthrie participated in a virtual hearing Monday afternoon in 1st District Court, appearing by web conference. She pleaded “no contest” to aggravated assault, a second-degree felony; tampering with a witness, a third-degree felony; along with unlawful detention and violent offense committed in the presence of a child, both class B misdemeanors.
The plea meant she conceded the alleged charges occurred without admitting guilt or offering a defense. It is still viewed as a guilty plea in court.
On July 12, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate an assault at Guthrie’s home. The victim described being physically assaulted by Guthrie and her 36-year-old partner, Sonny Murphy.
The woman told deputies how she, her boyfriend and their two children went to Guthrie’s house on July 11, and were later invited to stay the night. Guthrie and Murphy had been consuming alcohol during the evening.
The victim explained that in the middle of the night, Guthrie entered the room and dragged her out of bed by her hair. She and Murphy then began violently assaulting her, kicking and punching the woman more than 20 times.
The victim, her boyfriend and children were eventually able to leave the house, calling law enforcement the next day. She had bruising to her face, extremities and marks on her neck.
Guthrie and Murphy later called the victim after the attack, apologizing and discouraging her from seeking medical care. They also expressed a desire to remain friends. Several of the calls were recorded and given to law enforcement.
During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney Deven Coggins explained how in exchange for Guthrie’s plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss five remaining charges.
Guthrie was ordered to appear in court May 1, when she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
According to court records, Murphy previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault a class A misdemeanor. He remains in jail, serving a one-year sentence.