Jury finds Randy Larkin guilty of second degree murder

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)— (Update 10:09 p.m.) Pelton's family shed tears as the court read the verdict. Two and a half years after Pelton's death, they said they're relieved to see this case come to its end and to see justice served.

(Update 9:25 p.m.) – Randy could face life in prison with a minimum of ten years for murder of the second degree. He could face an additional fifteen years for deadly weapon enhancement.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 8th, 2025.

(Update 8:45 p.m.) – Randy Larkin has been found guilty of second degree murder and guilty of deadly weapon enhancement.

(12:47 p.m.) – Attorneys finished their closing arguments for the Ririe rest-stop murder trial Friday morning, and the jury is now in deliberations.

The jury will determine if Randy Larkin is guilty or not guilty of the murder of Morey Pelton in May 2022. 

If they find him guilty, they will have to decide between first or second-degree murder or whether the murder was planned or unplanned. If they find him not guilty, it means they thought the killing of Pelton was justified and that Larkin killed out of self-defense, not murderous intent.

The jury is expected to finish their deliberation by the end of the day.