SALT LAKE CITY -- A pediatrician accused of killing his ex-wife made his first court appearance.
Dr. John Wall, 49, shuffled into the courtroom in the Matheson Courthouse on Tuesday, where he was formally handed a copy of the charges against him. Wall is charged with murder and aggravated burglary in the death of his ex-wife, Uta von Schwedler.
"We look forward to a swift prosecution and ultimately, justice for my mother," the couple's son, Pelle von Schwedler Wall, told reporters outside the courtroom.
Dr. Wall's lawyer said outside of court he will enter a not guilty plea.
"He feels he's not guilty because he didn't commit a homicide," Fred Metos told FOX 13. "He didn't have anything to do with her death."
Uta von Schwedler overdosed on Xanax and drowned in a bathtub in her Sugar House home back in 2011. Prosecutors allege there were cuts and bruises on her body consistent with a struggle in her bedroom.
Metos told reporters the case will center heavily on forensic evidence. He was preparing a challenge to the prosecution's claim of a possible motive for the murder -- a bitter custody battle involving the couple's four children.
Custody of the children is likely to become an issue again. Rebecca Hyde-Skordas, an attorney representing Pelle von Schwedler Wall, said Uta's sister is petitioning the court for temporary guardianship. The children have been staying with a family friend ever since Dr. Wall was arrested for murder.
Metos said he next plans to ask a judge to reduce Dr. Wall's bail.
"Right now, his bond is set at $1.5 million cash only, which is the same thing as no bond at all," he told FOX 13. "So we're going to be asking for a bail reduction."
On Tuesday, Pelle von Schwedler Wall sought status from the court as a representative of the victim's family. He would be allowed to give input to a judge about Wall's bail, and whether it should be reduced.
Wall is due in court on May 13.
