politics
Utah Judge Denies Request to Subpoena Former Roommate in Murder Case
A Utah County judge denied two defense motions in the case of a man charged with killing a conservative activist. The rulings allow hearsay evidence at next month’s preliminary hearing and reject a request to compel testimony from the defendant’s former roommate.
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A Utah judge denied two motions filed by the defense in a murder case scheduled for a preliminary hearing next month. The rulings permit prosecutors to present hearsay evidence at the hearing and reject a request to subpoena the defendant’s former roommate and lover to testify in person.
The judge stated that the preliminary hearing’s purpose is limited to determining probable cause. He noted that the state may rely on reliable hearsay for that purpose and that the proposed examination focused on credibility and impeachment rather than negating probable cause.
The judge did not rule on a separate defense motion seeking sanctions against prosecutors for comments made to the media. A decision on that motion is expected Friday.
The preliminary hearing is set for July 6 to 10.
Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if the defendant is convicted. Last week, prosecutors disclosed that they had granted the former roommate limited immunity for a recorded statement given to authorities in April. The defendant faces multiple charges related to the September 2025 killing on a Utah university campus.
