Inset left: Kidus Yohannes (Salt Lake City Police Department). Inset right: Candace Samples (Obituary). Background: The now‑closed Dollar Tree behind which Yohannes fatally stabbed Samples in Salt Lake City, Utah (Google Maps).
## Introduction
In Utah, a man will spend the rest of his life in prison after killing a woman during a dispute over a stolen cellphone.
## Trial and Conviction
In August, a Salt Lake County jury convicted 39‑year‑old Kidus Yohannes of aggravated murder for the November 2018 death of 20‑year‑old Candace Samples, and also found him guilty of attempted manslaughter for stabbing another man.
## Sentencing
Last week, a press release from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office announced that the defendant received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the woman’s death.
The presiding judge also added an extra sentence of up to five years for the non‑fatal stabbing.
## Details of the Incident
Law enforcement reports that the incident took place on November 7, 2018, behind the now‑closed Dollar Tree in Salt Lake City.
That day, Samples took the defendant’s cellphone while he was at the Marmalade Branch Library across the street.
Police say the victim, a friend, and the defendant all gathered inside the same dumpster behind the discount store after the theft. There, Yohannes confronted Samples about the phone, brandished a knife, and warned, “I’ll use it if you don’t give me my phone back,” prosecutors reported.
A witness observed the scene, sprinted to a nearby 7‑Eleven, and fetched a friend. The friend rushed over, leapt into the dumpster to assist, and was immediately stabbed by the defendant, though he survived, authorities said.
Another individual inside the dumpster enclosure saw the stabbing, climbed over the wall to escape, then returned with a large board and witnessed Yohannes stabbing Ms. Samples, the prosecutor’s office noted.
After the woman was stabbed, the witness who had sought help at the convenience store opened the gates, and Yohannes fled the scene.
Following the 911 call, both Samples and the man who tried to help her were rushed to a nearby hospital. Law enforcement said the woman sustained 20 stab wounds to her head, arms, and torso, and she died shortly after arriving.
“Surveillance footage from the 7‑Eleven across the street from the dumpster showed the defendant with Ms. Samples entering and leaving the store together before the stabbing,” the press release states. “Police located the defendant and took him into custody. The defendant denied any involvement in the stabbings or any knowledge of or interaction with either victim.”
Investigators, however, seized the defendant’s shoes and discovered blood that matched Samples’.
## Courtroom Reactions
During the sentencing hearing, the stabbing survivor addressed the court, speaking about his efforts to turn his life around, according to the district attorney’s office.
The couple who raised Samples shared memories of the joy she brought to their home as a child and watching her grow.
“They discussed the challenges she faced, but also expressed the profound loss they feel now that she is gone,” the press release continues. “Ms. Samples’ loved ones prepared a video of her life, which the judge permitted to be shown in the packed courtroom during her sentencing.”
The defendant’s trial spanned three days, with jurors delivering their verdict on the final day.
## Statement from the District Attorney
“We hope that Ms. Samples’ family feels they have received some measure of justice,” Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said. “We recognize it is not perfect justice; if it were, Ms. Samples would still be among us today.”
## Conclusion
The case underscores how a seemingly minor theft escalated into a tragic loss of life, leading to a life‑long sentence for the perpetrator and a lasting impact on the community. The court’s decision reflects both accountability for the violent act and the enduring grief of those who loved Candace Samples.
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