Jury finds man guilty of aggravated murder in 2019 killing of Provo officer

PROVO — An eight-person jury found Matt Frank Hoover guilty of aggravated murder on Friday after hearing testimony in a multiweek trial on charges that he shot and killed a Provo police officer.

Joseph Shinners was shot while attempting to arrest Hoover, who had warrants out for his arrest, on Jan. 5, 2019, in front of the Bed Bath & Beyond in Orem. Hoover was also shot during the incident.

The jury — which began deliberating shortly after 1 p.m. and came back with a verdict about four hours later — was given the option to find Hoover guilty or not guilty of aggravated murder, as he is charged, or guilty or not guilty of a lesser charge: murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide.

Hoover, 45, was charged with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony. It was initially charged as a capital offense but changed after prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty. The jury also found him guilty of possession of a dangerous weapon as a restricted person, a second-degree felony; and failure to stop at the command of police and drug possession, third-degree felonies.

Please see Emily Ashcraft’s complete story at KSL.com.