Second defendant in muffed contract killing sentenced

Kim Smith

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

Seconds after watching Steve Acosta, the man who killed her husband, sentenced to four to 10 years in prison Wednesday, Sheral Veit spoke about hatred.

"I don't hate anyone," Veit said. "Hate is a waste of time, and I have more important things to do with my time."

Those familiar with the Veit case might be surprised by her sentiments.

Veit's husband, George, a 42-year-old Mormon Church leader and father of four, was shot to death while working at a transmission shop in February 1998.

One year later, Kurt Johnson, who was hoping to get out of trouble in a drug case, implicated himself, Acosta and Keith Shanley in the murder of Veit.

Johnson, 45, told authorities that Shanley, 30, had hired him and Acosta to kill his former girlfriend's boyfriend, and Acosta, 34, mistook Veit for the boyfriend.

Johnson testified against Shanley during his trial in August, and Shanley was convicted of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to two, 20-year to life terms, plus an additional seven to 32 years two weeks ago.

But something happened when Johnson took the stand against Acosta a few weeks later. Midway through his testimony, prosecutors offered Acosta a deal.

He took it, and on Wednesday he was sentenced to four to 10 years for conspiracy to commit murder. He was given credit for 552 days credit for time served pending the trial.

Chief Deputy District Attorney David Wall told District Judge Sally Loehrer Wednesday that Johnson's inconsistent testimony forced him to offer Acosta the deal.

"The ultimate result of this case is a disappointment, but it was necessary based upon where the case was at when it ended," Wall said.

Although the state still believes Acosta was the gunman, the jury may not have thought so, Wall said.

"In some ways Acosta was the perfect co-conspirator," Wall said. "Unlike Keith Shanley and Kurt Johnson, he kept his mouth shut...That fact and the fact he had outstanding lawyers are probably the reasons he is not in the same situation as Shanley."

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced next week, he could receive as little as probation.

Veit, who is now majoring in criminal justice in college, said she understands the thinking behind Acosta's deal.

"Did I like it? No, but I understand," Veit said. "Like David (Wall) said, they had to work with what they had. They have to deal with the associates of those who commit the crimes. The judge did the best she could under the circumstances, too."

Because she holds them equally responsible, Veit said it would have been nice for Johnson, Shanley and Acosta to get the same sentence. However, she takes solace in the fact that "something was accomplished."

She said she was lucky to have a team made up of Wall, Deputy District Attorney Melisa De La Garza and victim's advocate Sue Lopez.

"I can't be angry or frustrated. I just have to go out and help others," Veit said.

In fact, she hopes to one day work in the district attorney's victim witness assistance center.