Judge Sentenced Salt Lake Man to Life in Prison
A jury convicted 39-year-old Kidus Yohannes of aggravated murder following a 2018 attack.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
A judge sentenced Kidus Yohannes to life in prison for the 2018 murder of Candace Samples in Salt Lake City. Yohannes also received an additional five-year sentence for the stabbing of a second victim.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal process regarding a fatal confrontation that occurred behind a local Dollar Tree store. Yohannes reportedly attacked Samples after a dispute over a stolen cellphone.
A jury convicted the 39-year-old defendant of aggravated murder after a three-day trial. The victim, 20-year-old Candace Samples, suffered 20 stab wounds during the fatal encounter.
The players
Kidus Yohannes
He is the 39-year-old defendant convicted of the murder of Candace Samples.
Candace Samples
She was the 20-year-old victim of the fatal stabbing attack.
The details
Yohannes confronted Samples inside a dumpster enclosure over a missing cellphone before stabbing her 20 times. A witness eventually opened the enclosure gates, allowing the defendant to escape before he was later linked to the crime by forensic blood evidence on his shoes.
Timeline
November 7, 2018: Kidus Yohannes killed Candace Samples behind a store.
August 2026: A jury convicted Yohannes of aggravated murder.
October 2026: A judge sentenced Yohannes to life in prison.
Legal Context
This case reflects the application of standard criminal statutes regarding aggravated murder within the Salt Lake County court system. The conviction aligns with historical legal trends for violent felony prosecutions in this jurisdiction.
The conclusion of this trial brings resolution to a violent incident that impacted the local area near the Dollar Tree store. Residents should note that the legal proceedings have successfully reached a final sentencing phase.
The takeaway
The resolution of this case highlights the role of forensic evidence in securing convictions for violent crimes. The sentencing provides finality to the legal process for the family of the victim.
Further reading
Learn more about the community context at the Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Internewscast Journal.
