“I did that”: Inmate convicted of murder admits pulling the trigger 15 years after the crime

SALT LAKE CITY — Thirteen years ago, when Joshua Buie was 19, he wouldn't directly admit to pulling the trigger that led to the death of 21-year-old Stephen Lasiloo, even though he pleaded guilty to murder.

When Buie, now 32, described his crime to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole on Tuesday, he admitted: “I did that.”

“I didn't mean to kill anyone that night,” he said. “But when you shoot someone, that's what happens.”

Buie says he “couldn't believe what I had done,” which is why he initially didn't want to admit to being the shooter.

“Instead of being a man and admitting it … I was not fair to the victim's family,” he said. “I am very sorry.”

In July 2009, 17-year-old Buie was partying with friends at a house near 11300 South and 450 West when he got into an argument with Lasiloo over a stolen iPod. The two separated. But after Lasiloo left, Buie drove by in a car. That's when Buie got out of the vehicle and confronted Lasiloo again, this time with a gun.

“(Buie) pointed a revolver at (Lasiloo) and fired the gun three or four times,” court documents say.

Two of the shots hit Lasiloo, who fell to the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest. Although Buie was only 17 at the time, he was tried as an adult, found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in the Utah State Prison. A parole hearing was originally scheduled for 2029. Because Buie was a minor at the time of his crime, his first hearing was moved up to Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Buie said he initially did not believe he had killed Lasiloo and went home to celebrate with his friends, believing he was taking revenge on Lasiloo for being disrespectful to them.

However, as the effects of the drugs and alcohol wore off, he says he realized the seriousness of the situation.

Today, Buie says that years of training in prison have taught him not to fall into “anger traps” so easily and to handle situations in ways other than reacting with outbursts of anger. He says he did not join a gang or get a tattoo while in prison.

“The most important thing I've learned is that it's who you surround yourself with that matters,” he told the board. “There's no point in taking these courses and not getting anything out of them.”

Board Vice Chair Melissa Stirba, who presided over Tuesday's hearing, noted that Buie has had many accomplishments during his time in prison, but that he has also received several disciplinary warnings recently, including one just a few weeks ago for hitting or slapping another inmate. Stirba said that is a concern for the board.

“The moment I met him, I knew I had made a mistake,” Buie said, “but yeah, I just lost it.”

Buie claims the other inmate continually harassed him, even after being told to stop, and then said something that made Buie angry. He claims after he hit the other inmate, Buie walked away and did not respond further.

Lasiloo's two children, Tyson and Brooke, now teenagers, spoke briefly to the board about what it was like growing up without a father figure at home and how much they wish they had known their father better.

“I'm very sorry,” Buie said in response to her comments. “I love my father. I would hate for him to be taken away from me. That's why I didn't want to admit my crime… But I'm really sorry for what I did.”

The entire five-member panel will now vote on whether to grant parole. A decision is expected in a few weeks.