Man sentenced for murdering woman in Millcreek in 2020

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The man responsible for killing a mother and grandmother as she was trying to leave her friend's house in Millcreek, in 2020 was sentenced Thursday afternoon in Third District Court - just one day before his 28th birthday to potentially more than 30 years in prison.

James Dekota Brunson was a parole fugitive at the time he gunned down Linda Nemelka during a botched carjacking.

A previous 2News investigation revealed shortly after Brunson was granted parole, he left Fortitude Treatment Center on January 31, 2020, to go to a job orientation at a temp agency but never returned.

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[kantham]

Senseless killing of a woman who had children who need her. So sad

[ResinAlchemist]

"Not going to make excuses for him because he doesn't want me to".
The attorney then starts using his childhood as an excuse 😅.

[KathyStanley-wo]

"Nobody's here for James", that's what was said and That Truth speaks volumes.
I hope this young man finds some peace.

[Kookoo]

Such a pity he didn’t think of the family while he was murdering the poor woman. What a weak attempt at trying to humanize this monster!

[virginiasantillan]

Maybe When The Court Incarcerates A Young Child They Should Be Sure That The Child Has Adequate Therapy And So Hopefully He Can Be Rehabilitated Completely And Will Not Grow Up To Murder Someone 😢Also CPS Must Start Being Held Accountable For Their Bad Decision Making That Messes Up Alot Of Lives 😢 Peace To All ❤Jesus Loves You All❤❤❤

[robertdrake]

11 years old? wtf. What do you do at 11 to go to jail. Definitely not the best upbringing. If your environment was prison from the age of 11 on and off I think we all might have some crimes on our records. Pray for them all. I'm glad your mom visited you in your dreams to let you know it's going to be okay and that you will find more peace in forgiveness than holding on to hatred and anger.

[patwyliee]

Sad and forgiveness is the hardest thing to do but it takes away so much bitterness 😢😢😢😮😮😂😅😅😅❤❤

[sojoecherry]

He is a product of his environment he grew up in. His parents should be charged with murder too. In was incarcerated at age 11. Where were his parents? So sad.

[lorrainehilgendorf]

So very sorry for your loss..
I'm happy he at least admitted to her murder.
The family needed that part of closure from him
God bless you all ❤

[CornbreadXVX]

He doesn't want you to say anything, then sit down and be quiet.

[kantham]

Very glad to see the family forgiving the man - As painful as it may be, forgiveness is so important - Jesus teaches forgiveness

[jaclenelink]

May she rest in paradise 🙏 May God bless James also 🙏

[monicabudd]

Sorry for the children, the family and friends may she rest in peace sweet angel 🕊️😇🙏!!! Sending prayers and healing vibes this young lady and the loved ones and getting judice 🕊️⚖️❤ 🤗🙏!!!!

[christiekraczek]

Nope... i hold grudges, no forgiveness

[musicjenjen]

Oh BS. He doesn't want to hear it.

[CleviaWhite]

This is really sad scenario R, I.P forever my coloduences to the family and friends 😢

[DJMika]

We have too many children brought up with terrible childhoods. Children become their environment. No one talks about this.

[evah]

The said yhing about yhis is he never knew what a family part of .

[shawnhuff]

His parents didn't raise him right he at a young age wanted to be a criminal gangster he could have been president of the United States of America he could have been a doctor 🤔

[C-jpqt]

The reason why is because hes trying to get some sympathy so he can dodge getting sentenced to death or life without parole