Rena Chynoweth

Rena Chynoweth (born 1958) is an American former Mormon fundamentalist who shot and killed Rulon C. Allred in 1977. Acquitted of murder in a criminal trial, Chynoweth later admitted to killing Allred.

Early life When she was three years old, Rena Chynoweth's parents were converted to the Mormon fundamentalist Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times, based in Colonia LeBaron in northern Mexico. The Chynoweths moved to Colonia LeBaron to join the rest of the polygamist sect, which was at the time led by Joel LeBaron. Joel's leadership was soon challenged by his younger brother, Ervil, who believed that he was the "One Mighty and Strong" chosen by God to lead the Latter-day Saints. The Chynoweths followed Ervil when he eventually broke away from Joel's church. The Chynoweths, especially young Rena, were devout followers of Ervil.

In May 1977 Chynoweth and Marston travelled from Mexico to Murray, Utah, where Allred's office was, stopping to buy weapons and disguises en route. They reached Murray on May 10 and entered Allred's office disguised in wigs and sunglasses. Chynoweth shot him seven times, fatally wounding him, before the pair fled. They hid out in Mexico but were soon apprehended and brought back to Utah.

Chynoweth was tried for the murder of Allred in March 1979 in a Utah court. After two weeks of testimony, the jury acquitted her of murder. Dorothy Allred Solomon, daughter of victim Rulon Allred, gives a number of reasons for Chynoweth's acquittal. These include her convincing lies during the trial, sympathy for her pregnancy and the fact that she could not be identified by witnesses as she was disguised when the shooting took place. Solomon also accuses the "Lambs of God" of intimidating the jury at the trial, about her life with Ervil LeBaron, in which she admitted to shooting Rulon Allred. While being interviewed on Sally, Chynoweth was served with a summons to answer civil claims of causing the unlawful death of Rulon C. Allred.