Verdict . News

•Utah Supreme Court addressed landlord liability for tenant's aggressive dogs in premises liability case

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Landlord Liability in Tenant Dog Bite Case

The Utah Supreme Court issued a ruling in *Tesch v. Bonneville Property Investment, LLC*, addressing whether landlords can be held liable when tenants' aggressive dogs injure third parties. The case involves a young boy bitten by a pit bull while retrieving a baseball from rental property.

•Young boy was bitten by pit bull while retrieving baseball from rental property with inadequate dog restraint

•Utah Supreme Court ruled on pretrial justification hearings for self-defense claims in murder cases

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Pretrial Self-Defense Hearings

The Utah Supreme Court issued an opinion in *State v. Jennings* addressing whether defendants charged with murder can obtain pretrial hearings to adjudicate their self-defense claims. The case involves Deon Andre Jennings, who is charged with killing Willie Houston and claims he acted in self-defense.

•Defendant Deon Andre Jennings sought pretrial hearing on self-defense claim in Willie Houston killing

•Utah Supreme Court issued unanimous decision addressing police questioning of sexual assault victims in hospital emergency rooms

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Police Questioning of Sexual Assault Victims

The Utah Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in State v. Najera addressing constitutional boundaries when police officers question sexual assault victims in hospital emergency rooms. The November 28, 2025 ruling examines a 20-minute police interview of a rape victim seeking medical treatment.

•Case involved 20-minute police interview of rape victim with only three substantive questions asked by officer

•Kain Blackwing allegedly directed three women in polygamous relationships to murder a 14-year-old rape victim and her family from his jail cell

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Evidence in Blackwing Murder Plot Case

The Utah Supreme Court issued a ruling in State v. Blackwing involving a defendant charged with orchestrating an attempted murder plot from jail to prevent a 14-year-old rape victim from testifying. The case centers on evidentiary standards in a complex criminal conspiracy involving polygamous relationships and witness intimidation.

•The Utah Supreme Court ruled on an interlocutory appeal regarding evidentiary standards in the complex conspiracy case

Nov 13, 2025•4 min read

•Utah Supreme Court reviewed murder conviction where defendant claimed self-defense after shooting unarmed man

Utah Supreme Court Reviews Self-Defense Instructions in Murder Case

The Utah Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Hunt, examining whether a trial court properly instructed jurors on self-defense theories. Jonathan Hunt was convicted of murder after shooting an unarmed man, claiming he believed the victim was reaching for a weapon.

•Trial court refused defendant's requested instruction that apparent danger, not actual danger, suffices for self-defense

Nov 13, 2025•4 min read

•Utah Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision that would have granted new sentencing for Franklin James

Utah Supreme Court Reverses Appeals Ruling on Plea Deal Sentencing

The Utah Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision that would have required new sentencing for Franklin James, who received prison time despite a plea agreement recommending probation. The high court rejected adopting federal precedent that automatically grants relief when defendants aren't invited to speak before sentencing.

•Court rejected adopting federal precedent automatically granting relief when defendants aren't invited to speak before sentencing

Nov 13, 2025•4 min read

•Labor Commission Appeals Board found Salt Lake County retaliated against Theresa Christensen for sexual harassment complaint

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Anti-Discrimination Case Against Salt Lake County

The Utah Supreme Court issued an opinion in *Christensen v. Labor Commission*, affirming that Salt Lake County retaliated against employee Theresa Christensen after she complained about sexual harassment. The case addresses workers' compensation appeals and attorney fees under the Utah Antidiscrimination Act.

•Board awarded compensation for damages but denied statutory attorney fees request

Nov 6, 2025•4 min read

•Utah Supreme Court grants state's petition for rehearing in limited scope

Utah Supreme Court Issues Amended Opinion in Menzies Capital Case

The Utah Supreme Court has issued an amended opinion in the capital case of *State of Utah v. Ralph Leroy Menzies*, granting the state's petition for rehearing in part and removing a section from the original ruling. The amended decision, filed Nov. 6, 2025, represents a development in the long-running death penalty case.

•Court removes entire section V from original opinion and revises key paragraphs

Nov 6, 2025•4 min read

•Utah Supreme Court unanimously upheld Brian Newton's conviction for aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault involving rape at gunpoint

Utah Supreme Court Upholds Rape Conviction, Limits Post-Conviction Motions

The Utah Supreme Court affirmed Brian Newton's conviction for aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault while establishing new precedent on post-conviction procedures. The court ruled that post-conviction petitioners cannot file summary judgment motions under current rules.

•Court established that post-conviction petitioners generally cannot file summary judgment motions under current Utah law