OGDEN Utah (ABC 4 News) - A family hopes they will find justice for Esther Fujimoto.
The former University of Utah medical researcher was killed when she was swimming in the Pineview Resevoir in August 2011. Prosecutors claim three young men who were boating hit her with the watercraft and left her for dead.
Skyler Shepherd is the first to face a trial in Fujimoto's death. He's charged with failing to render aid, obstruction of justice and wreckless endangerment.
In opening arguments prosecutors claim Shepherd who was in the back of the boat when Fujimoto was hit drove the boat out of the cove and attempted to leave the resevoir.
But when authorities questioned him, Teral Tree says Shepherd failed to tell them he was involved.
Tree says a witness heard a loud noise and got closer to where the boat was idling near someone in the water.
"Are you alright, are you alright," Tree says the witness heard them yelling at the swimmer. "He (witness) could hear someone say 'help me, help me'".
But according to the witness the boat left. The witness who will testify during the trial rowed to where the woman was and tried to get her out of the water while calling 911.
Shepherd's attorney says the driver of the boat had no idea whether they hit the swimmer.
Glen Neeley told the jury that they approached the swimmer and asked if she was okay but she said "yeah". After that Neeley says the trio left.
Prosecutor Tree says Fujimoto wasn't okay.
"She died a painful death," Tree says.
He says the state Medical Examiner will testify that Fujimoto's legs were cut multiple times and a main artery was severed.
"She bled to death," Tree says.Shepherd's trial is scheduled through Wednesday.
