CRIME

Man who tried to kill terminally ill wife sentenced to home confinement

Dec 12, 2024, 7:15 PM | Updated: Dec 21, 2024, 4:48 pm

...

ST. GEORGE — Arenda Lee McCulla’s family says her husband tried to kill their terminally ill loved one and blames him for not allowing her to die in peace.

DeWayne McCulla says he was only trying to ease his wife’s suffering, but admits he was “selfish” in the moment.

“I lost it. I failed epically,” he told 5th District Judge John J. Walton.

On Thursday, McCulla, 46, who pleaded guilty in September to a reduced charge of attempted manslaughter, a third-degree felony, was sentenced to 150 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring followed by three years of probation. A prison sentence of zero to five years was suspended. A pre-sentence report by Adult Probation and Parole had recommended 105 days in jail followed by five years of probation.

Arenda Lee McCulla, 47, died on Dec. 21, 2021, following her battle with breast cancer. But the night before, when a small group of family members were by her side in La Verkin, DeWayne McCulla “choked the victim in an attempt to kill her to ease her suffering while they were with her during her terminal cancer and being on hospice,” according to charging documents.

Family members say they pulled McCulla off of his wife, but he broke free and attempted to wrap his hands around her neck a second time. When questioned by police, McCulla “said he would do this again because he loved his wife,” according to charging documents. He was originally charged with attempted murder, a first-degree felony.

In court on Thursday, Arenda McCulla’s son, sister, and brother all pleaded with the judge to issue the maximum sentence.

“There hasn’t been a day that his behavior hasn’t affected me,” Arenda McCulla’s son, Anthony Michael Ryder, said, noting that DeWayne McCulla’s “calculated and cruel” actions that night have caused “deep and lasting harm” and that McCulla “has never shown remorse.”

“My mother deserved dignity in her final moment,” he said. “DeWayne deserves to sit with the gravity of what he did. … This is about more than punishment. It’s about justice.”

“I will never forget or forgive DeWayne,” Arenda McCulla’s sister, Kareena Burns, told the court. “My sister deserved way better. She deserved to die in peace. …There is no reason to do what he did.”

Prosecutor Tyler Bonzo concurred that even if DeWayne McCulla was acting out of care, “There’s still no excuse for taking matters into his own hands.”

Furthermore, the state contends that even today, “He seems to think he was justified in his actions. … He seems to be focused on himself and trying to justify his actions.”

While addressing the court, Ryder also talked about other allegations involving McCulla, including taking money from a fundraiser that was to be used to take his mother to Oregon to participate in the Death with Dignity Act.

When asked about the allegations, Bonzo said there was an ongoing fraud investigation by police but no charges had been filed as of Thursday. The judge also asked McCulla about the allegations. He said initially his wife was given three to 5 years to live, but the diagnosis unexpectedly became three months during a follow-up doctor’s appointment.

“There’s no way we could have moved to Oregon at that time,” he said. “It became evident quickly that the Die with Dignity Act was not an option.”

At that point, McCulla said his wife had always wanted a Toyota Tundra and a big-screen TV, and he wanted her to experience those before she died.

“I gave in to her wishes,” he said. “It wasn’t so I could play ‘Call of Duty’ … that was not the intention.”

He says he bought those items with funds he had saved up for in his personal account. He did not remember how much money the fundraiser had raised but contended he did not use that money to purchase the truck and TV.

When asked about his statement to police that he would “do it again,” McCulla told the court that he was “caught off guard by the investigator” and said, “I wouldn’t do that again, obviously.” He also said that when he wrapped his hands around his wife’s neck, he had not slept in three days and had been drinking. McCulla said Thursday he “didn’t consider how (his actions) would affect everyone else” and acknowledged “it has destroyed the family.”

When it was time to hand down his sentence, Walton said he “can’t base a sentence off unproven theories.”

“It’s not uncommon at all for victims in a case to take a different position than the state has when they prosecute the case,” he said, noting that the family’s claims aren’t completely the same arguments presented by prosecutors. “If (McCulla) is the sadistic monster (that the family believes he is), he’ll punish himself appropriately by his own future actions.”

McCulla was ordered to begin his home confinement within 10 days. During that time, he is allowed work release and can leave the home for medical treatment and two hours a week for church, but otherwise cannot leave his house.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Handcuffs used at the decommissioned Draper Prison....

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah woman accused of putting Borax in her children’s water

A Uintah County woman investigators say was putting a household cleaner in her children's water to help with weight loss has been arrested.

15 hours ago

A Unified Police Department vehicle sits in a neighborhood in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Friday, Feb....

Michael Houck

SWAT arrests man suspected of robbing a Utah bank and sending threats to another

A man is accused of robbing a bank and stealing a dollar amount to reference the 9/11 attacks last week.

22 hours ago

An officer assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Pioneer Patrol Division Bike Squad ...

Diana Jones

SLCPD officers arrest 2 people suspected of drug trafficking in Library Square

On Thursday, Salt Lake City Police Department’s Bike Squad arrested two men for a suspected drug trafficking operation in Library Square. 

3 days ago

Autumn Mercado, who was found dead in her home on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Charges pending in case of West Jordan mother found dead, family seeks justice and protection for children

Nearly a month after the discovery of a West Jordan woman's body during a welfare check, charges in the case have yet to be filed.

3 days ago

Friends and family leaving flowers and mementos in front of Heather Barela's photo....

Jacob Freeman

Charges brought against 15-year-old in Santa Clara murder case

Charges have officially been filed against a 15-year-old accused of killing a family member and wounding another in Santa Clara on Jan. 30.

4 days ago

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings q...

Darby Sparks, KSL

Defense questions motive in Jordan High School teen stabbing death

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings questions of possible gang motive.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Man who tried to kill terminally ill wife sentenced to home confinement