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Utah teen convicted in deputy’s death gets 30 years to life

State Judge Darold McDade handed down 18-year-old Meagan Grunwald’s sentence Wednesday

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In this May 7, 2015, file photo, Meagan Grunwald testifies while being questioned by her defense attorney Dean Zabriskie during her trial in Provo, Utah.

Spenser Heaps/The Daily Herald via AP, Pool, File

Associated Press

PROVO, Utah — A Utah teenager convicted in a 50-mile crime spree that left one sheriff’s deputy dead and another wounded has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

State Judge Darold McDade handed down 18-year-old Meagan Grunwald’s sentence Wednesday in the 2014 chase, which also included a carjacking.

Prosecutors say Grunwald was a willing accomplice ready to do anything to stay with her 27-year-old boyfriend. But Grunwald says he forced her to drive at gunpoint.

The boyfriend, Jose Angel Garcia-Jauregui, was killed in a shootout with police.

Grunwald was convicted in May of 11 counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery.

Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Cory Wride was killed during the crime spree.