News

When a stalker wouldn’t stop, one victim found help to get her life back.

A social media post from a student at a Utah high school threatening to carry out a “rape day” — and telling girls they won’t be able to hide — has sowed fear in a small rural community here.

Late last year, a Utah man went through a breakup \u2014 an everyday occurrence, but one that is prompting a bill that could potentially change the state’s criminal stalking code.

A bill proposing changes to Utah’s stalking code was supported by the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee, but victim advocates argue the change would make it harder for victims to get protection. Caption: KUTV: Hayley Crombleholme reports Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, says she heard from a constituent who said they were wrongfully accused of stalking under the current code.

A judge sided with prosecutors and the woman\u2019s attorney, finding Utah\u2019s victim rights law protects the woman from being forced to take the stand at a preliminary hearing.

The reform, pitched as a change to hold suspects based on the risks they pose and not their ability to afford bail, passed the 2020 Legislature with broad support and took effect in October.

Rep. Angela Romero’s bill, which would create a third-degree felony offense of sexual conduct without affirmative consent in Utah, failed in committee Monday.

The Utah Legislature passed a new law this year aimed at strengthening self-defense rights in the state – but six months after the legislation went into effect, the KSL Investigators found unintended consequences are impacting victims of crime.  

Four women are utilizing a new Utah law that gives the attorney general authority to reconsider first-degree felony cases and possibly file criminal charges after a county attorney passes on the case or waits more than six months to evaluate it.

Last week, the three of us – joined by three other attorneys located both inside and outside Utah – filed a petition in the Utah Supreme Court on behalf of four “Jane Does.” The Jane Does had all been sexually assaulted, promptly reported their cases to law enforcement, and ultimately seen their cases declined by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Our petition to the Supreme Court asked for the appointment of prosecutor to pursue these well-founded criminal cases to their logical conclusion.

Child pornography arrests have nearly doubled in Utah over the last five years, mirroring a nationwide trend that experts say has been fueled by rapid developments in technology.

A Utah girl told investigators she was 12 years old when a man she knew gave her alcohol and raped her in April. The Utah Court of Appeals now is weighing whether she can be compelled to take the stand against him at a preliminary hearing.

A bill that would make it harder for victims of stalking to get help from the court passed in committee Wednesday.

Former Brighton High and University of Southern California linebacker Osa Masina has accepted a plea deal, avoiding a trial in his felony rape case.

When former Provo Police Chief John King resigned earlier this year after being accused of sexual assault, it wasn’t the first time such an accusation had forced him from a high-profile law enforcement position.