OGDEN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Three men accused of killing a swimmer in Pineview Reservoir are now facing their charges in court.
Readers may remember this story. Prosecutors tell ABC 4 last August 49-year-old Esther Fujimoto was swimming in the Pineview Reservoir in Weber County. The same day Colton Raines, Cole Boyer, and Skyler Sheppard were out boating. Prosecutors claim the men hit her with the boat, made only a brief attempt to check on her, and then left her to die.
"Based on everything that happened they would know that they hit her and by leaving her the way that they did was just horrible, horrific," said Dean Sanders, Prosecutor.
According to prosecutors, the men had been drinking, smoking marijuana, and were reckless with Fujimoto's life. Their defense attorney denies the charges. But refused to say more how his clients handled the accident.
"I can't really comment on what the mindset was for anybody at the time this happened," said Greg Skordas, Defense Attorney.
Fujimoto was a Molecular Biologist at the University of Utah. ABC 4 is told the boat propeller cut open her lower body and she bleed to death.
Her family is trying to move on, but at the same time they want those responsible to pay the price.
"I certainly don't get a sister back in the process, I can understand an accident but the disregard for human life – that, I have issue with," said Andy Fujimoto, Esther’s brother.
ABC 4 is told Esther Fujimoto's family is hoping to change the legal the system when it comes to boating accidents. The men accused of killing Fujimoto are only facing misdemeanor charges. If the family gets their way, future offenders would face harsher punishments.
