Accused shooter of Chinese student pleads for wife’s release

SALT LAKE CITY – A man accused of killing a University of Utah student from China with a weapon stolen from a slain Colorado man wants a judge to let his wife go.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Austin Boutain asked for permission to speak during a procedural hearing Friday and said, “My wife is innocent. Please let her go.” He then said he would give his life for hers.

His wife Kathleen Boutain isn’t charged with murder but faces other related charges because prosecutors say she helped hatch the deadly carjacking plot that led to the death of Chenwei Guo on Oct. 30 in Salt Lake City.

Guo was a 23-year-old computer science student from Beijing, China.

Austin Boutain, an ex-convict, could face the death penalty because he’s charged with aggravated murder.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com