Pediatrician jailed for 15 years for killing his wife after a four-year crusade by his OWN SON, who spent his inheritance proving it was murder

  • The sentencing of John Brickman Wall closed another chapter in the long, painful journey of 21-year-old Pelle Wall
  • Pelle Wall was instrumental in pushing police to investigate his father after the death of his mom Uta von Schwedler which was initially ruled a suicide
  • John Wall, 51, was jailed for at least 15 years but told the courtroom 'I did not kill Uta' and vowed to appeal the conviction

The oldest son of a Utah doctor smiled as he shook hands and hugged friends and family after his father was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years to life in the killing of his ex-wife and escorted out of court in handcuffs.

The sentencing of John Brickman Wall closed another chapter in a long, painful journey of 21-year-old Pelle Wall, who was instrumental in pushing police to investigate his father after the 2011 death of his mother, university cancer researcher Uta von Schwedler, was initially ruled a suicide.

Pelle Wall used funds he inherited from his mother in his efforts to have his father go on trial. 

A triumphant Wall spoke during Wednesday's sentencing hearing, asking state Judge James Blanch to make sure his father, a Salt Lake City pediatrician, spent the rest of his life behind bars.

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Pelle Wall (left) leaves the courtroom after his father's sentencing Wednesday
John Brickman Wall was convicted of killing his cancer researcher ex-wife amid a bitter custody dispute and given a sentence of 15 years to life by state Judge James Blanch

Family: Pelle Wall (left) leaves the courtroom after his father's sentencing on Wednesday. John Brickman Wall (right) was convicted of killing his cancer researcher ex-wife amid a bitter custody dispute and given a sentence of 15 years to life by state Judge James Blanch

Death: Pelle Wall was instrumental in pushing police to investigate his father even after the 2011 death of his mother Uta von Schwedler, pictured here 

Death: Pelle Wall was instrumental in pushing police to investigate his father even after the 2011 death of his mother Uta von Schwedler, pictured here 

Embrace: Pelle Wall receives a hug after leaving the courtroom following his father's sentencing on Wednesday in Salt Lake City, Utah

Embrace: Pelle Wall receives a hug after leaving the courtroom following his father's sentencing on Wednesday in Salt Lake City, Utah

He said his father's portrayal of himself as the victim was despicable and has profoundly compounded the grief he and his three siblings are feeling.

'He's convinced himself of an alternate reality,' Pelle Wall said outside court in Salt Lake City. 'It's super disrespectful to true victims. I can't reconcile it.'

John Wall, 51, spoke before the packed courtroom saying emphatically 'I did not kill Uta.' He vowed to appeal the conviction.

He lamented that his four children have lost their mother and father, and said he hopes they know he loves them unconditionally.

'I can no longer assist them and support them in achieving their hopes and dreams. Nor can I comfort them in their times of need,' said Wall, wearing a blue prison jumpsuit. 'I'm left with only my memories.'

Pelle Wall, the only sibling in court, said he wasn't buying his father's speech. He said. 'I don't know how he could have committed such a crime with any of his children in mind.'

Perspective: Pelle Wall spoke during the sentencing hearing, asking state Judge James Blanch to make sure his father, a Salt Lake City pediatrician, spent the rest of his life behind bars

Perspective: Pelle Wall spoke during the sentencing hearing, asking state Judge James Blanch to make sure his father, a Salt Lake City pediatrician, spent the rest of his life behind bars

Other side: John Wall, 51, spoke before the packed courtroom saying emphatically 'I did not kill Uta.' He vowed to appeal the conviction

Other side: John Wall, 51, spoke before the packed courtroom saying emphatically 'I did not kill Uta.' He vowed to appeal the conviction

Legal proceedings: A jury convicted Wall in March after hearing a largely circumstantial case in which prosecutors said he attacked von Schwedler with a knife, gave her the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and drowned her in her bathtub

Legal proceedings: A jury convicted Wall in March after hearing a largely circumstantial case in which prosecutors said he attacked von Schwedler with a knife, gave her the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and drowned her in her bathtub

The sentencing came after Blanch denied motions from John Wall's attorney to overturn the conviction on evidentiary issues. 

Blanch said he took note of Wall claiming his innocence but said the jury had found a 'chilling and despicable crime'.

A jury convicted Wall in March after hearing a largely circumstantial case in which prosecutors said he attacked von Schwedler with a knife, gave her the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and drowned her in her bathtub.

Defense attorneys countered that the theory was unbelievable, and it was more likely that von Schwedler killed herself.

On Wednesday, attorney G. Fred Metos said prosecutors relied on a pyramid of inferences and multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence to make their case against Wall.

In the lead-up to sentencing, Wall, his siblings and parents sent Blanch letters defending his character.

In the dock: John Brickman Wall, a Salt Lake City pediatrician, is seen in court on Wednesday

In the dock: John Brickman Wall, a Salt Lake City pediatrician, is seen in court on Wednesday

Wall said people around him misinterpreted his confused state as guilt when he was actually dealing with grief and psychological trauma from police interrogation.

His sister, Wendy Wall, said the man depicted during the trial bears little resemblance to the brother she knows. She said he was a loving, doting father who wasn't violent.

She was in court along with other family but left without making comment.

Wendy Wall was upset with her nephew Pelle's actions, CBS News reported in May.

She told the news outlet: 'I think that Johnny felt devastated when, you know, when Pelle - in some ways you could say turned on him, I suppose.

'Everybody in our family Johnny included, still very much loves Pelle, and I think that we're all trying to remember that ... he's gone through incredible trauma.'

Pelle said now he wants a confession from his father
Pelle Wall spent his entire inheritance from his mother campaigning for his father's conviction. His mom is pictured here

Family: Pelle Wall (left)said he's convinced of his father's guilt because he knows him well, and observed his interactions with his mother (right) during a messy divorce and custody battle

On Wednesday, Pelle Wall remembered his mother, who died at 49, as a highly respected researcher who was driven and self-confident but also colorful, playful and goofy. 

He said he and his siblings still find themselves leaning on the lessons she taught them and miss her dearly.

He said he's convinced of his father's guilt because he knows him well, and observed his interactions with his mother during a messy divorce and custody battle. 

Pelle Wall told reporters that he's also seen and heard all the evidence against his father gathered by authorities.

'It all comes together and it all points to the same thing,' Pelle Wall said. 'That is that he's guilty.'

Not forgotten: Pelle Wall remembered his mother, who died at 49, as a highly respected researcher who was driven and self-confident but also colorful, playful and goofy

Not forgotten: Pelle Wall remembered his mother, who died at 49, as a highly respected researcher who was driven and self-confident but also colorful, playful and goofy

In May the Wall's story featured on CBS' 48 Hours. Speaking about his suspicions surrounding his father's guilt he said: 'As I thought about... my dad's behavior before and after her death, it became more and more apparent to me that - that he was responsible for killing her.' 

Speaking of his father's conviction Pelle Wall added: 'It was just like this huge weight had just dropped off.

'A lot of relief, a lot of happiness.'


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