A Third District Court judge sentenced James Wallace Petersen III to five years to life for the murder of T.M., according to a September 21 statement from Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
The sentencing follows Petersen's July 27, 2026, guilty plea to one count of murder, a first-degree felony.
The murder occurred on February 22, 1993, following NBA All-Star weekend. A maintenance man discovered T.M. on February 24, 1993, in her apartment at 643 South Redwood Road while attempting to repossess a microwave.
Detectives observed signs of a struggle at the scene, including a lamp and bedding on the floor, along with blood around T.M.'s mouth and on a pillowcase. An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner's office determined T.M. died from asphyxiation caused by strangulation and smothering. The examination also revealed severe bite marks on her chest and right thumb.
Forensic investigation utilized DNA testing to identify the defendant. An unknown DNA profile from the bite marks was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Additionally, a hair found near a bite mark was submitted to the Intermountain Forensics Lab for Forensic Genealogy testing.
The genealogy testing yielded a DNA profile with gene clusters in common with N.S. A family tree for N.S. led investigators back to the defendant, who previously resided in Arizona. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed the hair sample was consistent with saliva from the bite marks found on the victim.
The defendant was charged under seal on March 6, 2026, and the case was unsealed on March 12, 2026. The sentencing disposition of five years to life was the sentencing structure created by the legislature in 1993 for first-degree murder.
District Attorney Sim Gill stated that the conviction provides a measure of justice and accountability for the victim's family. Gill also expressed appreciation for the decades of dedication shown by Salt Lake City Police Department detectives and the work of prosecutor Brett Keeler and support staff.
Sim Gill noted that the office continues to mourn the loss of T.M. alongside the victim's family and thanked them for their patience over the 30 years required to reach a resolution.
