Latest news with #ThirdDistrictCourt
Global News
10-07-2025
- Global News
Judge sets execution date for Utah death row inmate with dementia
A judge in Utah has set an execution date for a death-row prisoner with dementia, while his lawyers argue that his worsening condition should be considered in the application of his punishment. Ralph Leroy Menzies, 67, is set to be executed on Sept. 5 for the 1986 kidnapping and murder of a Utah mother of three, Maurine Hunsaker. Given the choice 37 years ago, Menzies selected to be killed by firing squad. If he dies in this manner, he will become just the sixth U.S. prisoner to be executed by firing squad since 1977, according to The Associated Press. Despite the court's acknowledgement of Menzies' deteriorating mental state, he was deemed competent for execution by Judge Mathew Bates in June. In July, his lawyers filed a petition asking the court to reconsider the decision after presenting a new expert report claiming his health had declined significantly since previous evaluations and was no longer cognizant of the reason for the execution. Story continues below advertisement But Bates said Wednesday that Menzies' worsening dementia was not a reason to stop him from setting an execution date. However, Bates did schedule a July 23 hearing to evaluate the new competency petition. Menzies' lawyers say his dementia has gotten so severe that he uses a wheelchair, is dependent on oxygen and cannot understand his legal case. View image in full screen Ralph Leroy Menzies appears in Third District Court for a competency hearing in West Jordan, Utah, Monday, Nov 18, 2024. Rick Egan / The Canadian Press 'We remain hopeful that the courts or the clemency board will recognize the profound inhumanity of executing a man who is experiencing steep cognitive decline and significant memory loss,' Lindsey Layer, a lawyer for Menzies, said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Taking the life of someone with a terminal illness who is no longer a threat to anyone and whose mind and identity have been overtaken by dementia serves neither justice nor human decency.' Meanwhile, the Utah Attorney General's Office said it has 'full confidence' in the judge's decision, Assistant Attorney General Daniel Boyer said. Story continues below advertisement In the past, the U.S. Supreme Court has spared inmates with dementia from the death penalty. In Alabama in 2019, a man who killed a police officer was not put to death because the court ruled that if a defendant cannot understand why they are being executed, the execution does not carry out the retribution that society is seeking. The son of Hunsaker, who was 10 when his mother was killed by Menzies, said it has been hard to accept that it has taken almost 40 years to serve justice. Hunsaker, 26, was abducted by Menzies from a convenience store where she worked in the Salt Lake City suburb of Kearns. She was later found strangled and her throat cut about 25 kilometres away at a picnic area in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Story continues below advertisement Menzies had Hunsaker's wallet and several other belongings when he was jailed on unrelated matters. He was convicted of first-degree murder and other crimes in 1988. Over nearly four decades, lawyers for Menzies have filed multiple appeals that delayed his execution, which had been scheduled at least twice before it was pushed back. In April, a death row inmate in South Carolina suffered a bungled execution after the firing squad missed its target. Mikal Mahdi was killed by prison officials, but autopsy results, as well as photographs and documents obtained by the Guardian and analyzed by his legal team, indicated that executioners did not follow protocol and that Mahdi endured prolonged pain that outlasted the 10- to 15-second period of consciousness that is expected. Utah last executed prisoners by firing squad in 2010, and South Carolina used the method on two men this year. Only three other states — Idaho, Mississippi and Oklahoma — allow firing squad executions. Menzies is among 10 people scheduled to be put to death in seven states during the remainder of 2025. Twenty-five men in the U.S. have died by court-ordered execution so far this year. — with files from The Associated Press
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why Was Love Island Alum Cashel Barnett Arrested in Utah? Everything We Know About Reality Star's Case So Far
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of domestic violence. Cashel Barnett, widely known as a former contestant of Love Island, was recently arrested for domestic violence. According to reports, the reality show alum has been held in custody in Utah. He was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on Monday. A report by Entertainment Weekly states that Barnett was taken into custody on charges of assault and domestic violence, confirmed by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department. He is currently facing two third-degree felony counts of aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, along with two counts of misdemeanor assault. The star from Love Island was booked on these charges on May 9, and a warrant for his arrest was issued by a judge three days later. Additionally, Salt Lake County Deputy District Attorney Ronda Woolson has issued a no-bail warrant for Barnett. This followed a lethality assessment conducted with the alleged victim, Cashel Barnett's former partner and the mother of their child. Reports say she feared Barnett might try to kill her if he wasn't held in custody. Meanwhile, a detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday in the domestic violence case. Talking to the outlet, Andrew K. Deesing, Barnett's attorney, said, "Upon learning about the arrest warrant, Mr. Barnett immediately retained counsel and surrendered to Utah's Third District Court first thing Monday morning." According to authorities, Barnett's ex reported the April 10 incident on April 25. She stated that while trying to calm him with a hug, he slapped her arms away, followed her to the bedroom, lifted her by the neck, slammed her onto the bed, and choked her—all in front of their child. Common Disclaimer: If you need support or know someone who is struggling with domestic violence or assault or abuse, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or NGO or speak to someone about it. There are several helplines available for the same.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Judge William Kendall resigns after criminal indictment
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Judge William Kendall has resigned from his post on the Third District Court after being criminally indicted for sexual abuse and drug charges. In a statement given to by Kendall's lawyer, Kendall cites his divided attention as the reason for his resignation. Saying that serving the court has been an honor. 'After thoughtful consideration, I have submitted my resignation to my seat on the Third District Court, effective immediately,' Kendall's statement reads. 'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of Utah; however, at this moment I cannot provide the Third District the attention it deserves, and therefore I have reached this difficult decision.' PREVIOUS: Utah judge facing charges for sexual abuse, drug distribution The former judge's resignation comes after he was charged with forcible sexual abuse, and distributing a controlled substance. According to court documents, Kendall had allegedly touched a woman inappropriately during a gathering at his home back on Feb. 21, 2025. According to the probable cause statement, Kendall had allegedly been drinking and offered the victim THC products. It goes onto say the alleged inappropriate touching occurred after both had smoked what the victim called a 'weed pen.' Kendall was originally appointed to the bench by then Governor Gary in 2014, and had served in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah as an assistant U.S. Attorney. He also served as a district attorney for Salt Lake County. Court records have Kendall appearing before the court for his initial appearance on May 14th, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Riverton man charged with attempted murder and kidnapping after crash
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. DRAPER, Utah () — A Riverton man has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated kidnapping after driving recklessly and crashing into a tree with a woman in his vehicle. Daniel Hunter Dangerfield, 20, was charged in Third District Court today with two felony counts, one attempted murder and one of aggravated kidnapping. According to police documents, the responded to a crash on Mar. 13, 2025. At the scene, officers determined that it was a domestic violence incident. The female victim told police that she and Dangerfield had been discussing issues between them while in a parked vehicle. During the discussion, he reportedly harmed himself with a multitool knife. The victim told police he then turned the knife toward her, saying 'he would rather be dead if he didn't have her.' Four Americans accused of Congo coup attempt now facing federal charges in Salt Lake City According to documents, Dangerfield then began driving with the female victim in the vehicle. He reportedly drove over 100 miles per hour, frightening the victim and even allegedly unbuckling her seatbelt. The victim reportedly asked him to slow down and not to unbuckle the seatbelt. As Dangerfield approached a left curve in the road, he allegedly sped up and turned the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to crash into a tree. According to police documents, 'Preliminary Crash Data Retrieval reports of the vehicle's airbag control module revealed that the vehicle was traveling at speeds of over twice the 35 MPH speed limit, with the accelerator at 100% in the seconds before the crash.' Those reports also revealed that Dangerfield had turned the steering wheel to the right in the seconds before the crash. The female victim was transported to the Intermountain Medical Center and would have to undergo surgery for the injuries sustained in the crash. Dangerfield is not currently in custody, but the judge has issued a warrant for his arrest. Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately. Utah man arrested, charged for trying to rent out fake Airbnb in Hawaii Local businesses react to Trump's tariffs, prepare for potential long-term effects Riverton man charged with attempted murder and kidnapping after crash Market volatility and your 401(k): What you need to know House passes bill restricting district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Midvale man sentenced after choking an officer during a struggle
MIDVALE, Utah () — A Midvale man accused of choking a police officer during a struggle in his apartment will now serve up to 15 years in state prison. Ruben Serna, 43, was after he had consumed about 30 beers and began acting 'violent and erratic.' Police were called to the scene by the victim when Serna would not let her leave a corner of their kitchen and grabbed her by the neck. Prosecutors said when police arrived, Serna tried to shut the door on them. 'An officer was able to get inside the home and attempted to take the defendant to the ground. However, the officer felt the defendant reach for her firearm and place his hand on her holster,' the Salt Lake District Attorney's Office said in a statement. 'The defendant then grabbed the officer by the throat and began to squeeze, making it so the officer was unable to speak and had difficulty breathing.' Four Americans accused of Congo coup attempt now facing federal charges in Salt Lake City Serna was reportedly tased multiple times before he was safely taken into custody. In February 2025, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree felony kidnapping, one count of second-degree felony attempted disarming a police officer, one count of third-degree felony assault on a peace officer producing injury and one count of third-degree felony violation of a pretrial protective order. A Third District Court judge sentenced Serna to a minimum of one year with a maximum of 15 years in prison for the second-degree felony kidnapping. All other sentences for Serna's other charges will run concurrently to the kidnapping. 'We applaud this victim-survivor for recognizing the danger of her situation and calling the police to help intervene before the situation escalated,' said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. 'We appreciate the danger these police officers were willing to put themselves in to protect not only the victim-survivor but her children as well.' Lawmakers rally behind family of wrongfully deported man Comfort in a bowl: Hearty beef goulash made simple Horsford berates US trade rep as Trump makes tariff announcement: 'WTF, who's in charge?' Can kindness change the world? A Utah group says definitely Baby animals, sunny days, and adventures that await at Utah Hogle Zoo Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
