Rigby man charged with first-degree murder

A Rigby man who was arrested in connection with a shooting death is now being charged with first-degree murder.

Emmanuel Jesus Granados is accused of killing 22-year-old Fermin Lemus of Madison County at a quinceanera in Rigby on July 14. He was later arrested in Iron County, Utah.

Although Granados was originally charged with second-degree murder, the new charge is more appropriate, said Jefferson County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Ziel. Ziel said the charge was changed as the investigation into the killing progressed.

The penalty for first-degree murder can be up to life in prison or death, but Ziel said the prosecutor’s office would not likely seek the death penalty.

Granados also faces a deadly weapons enhancement on the murder charge, which carries an additional 15 years.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September before Magistrate Judge Robert Crowley Jr.