Utah
Prosecuting sex crimes: Utah County attorney touts improvement, but current backlog unclear
![Prosecuting sex crimes: Utah County attorney touts improvement, but current backlog unclear Prosecuting sex crimes: Utah County attorney touts improvement, but current backlog unclear](https://ksltv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/UtahCoAttyOffice.jpg)
UTAH COUNTY, Utah – David Leavitt’s controversial determination to dismantle the Particular Victims Unit within the Utah County Lawyer’s Workplace has change into a key subject in his bid for reelection.
He mentioned information launched by the workplace Friday proves his strategy has been profitable. Jeff Grey, Leavitt’s opponent on this month’s upcoming Republican major election, disagrees.
“The reality is, we’re doing the job,” Leavitt mentioned. “We’re doing a fantastic job at it.”
Utah County Lawyer David Leavitt. (KSL TV)
Underneath his watch, Leavitt mentioned the workplace employed a statistical specialist to trace sure information factors that haven’t beforehand been tracked over time. A few of the information launched Friday reveals a rise in prosecution charges for circumstances involving intercourse crime allegations. It additionally reveals a lower in declination charges.
“These numbers display higher outcomes for victims,” he mentioned.
When Leavitt took workplace in 2019, he mentioned the Particular Victims Unit had a virtually 400 case backlog. He defends his determination to eradicate the specialised crew, saying the transfer has elevated effectivity in prosecuting intercourse crime circumstances and now nearly the entire prosecutors within the workplace have acquired SVU coaching.
What’s unclear is how these adjustments have impacted the present backlog. Investigators requested for that info final February. Leavitt mentioned he didn’t have specifics.
On Friday, that had not modified.
“The precise variety of particular victims’ circumstances which may be a part of the backlog is one thing we haven’t drilled down but particularly,” mentioned Leavitt.
Whereas he couldn’t present a present quantity, he claimed the backlog has improved.
“There’s all the time going to be some backlog, however it’s not vital and it’s not harming victims,” mentioned Leavitt.
Chief Deputy Sandi Johnson later clarified that the 400-case backlog from 2019 has been addressed. As for the present backlog, she mentioned intercourse crime circumstances referred to their workplace by means of January of this yr have been reviewed by an lawyer and both filed, declined, or despatched again to regulation enforcement for extra info.
Johnson and Leavitt mentioned precedence is given to circumstances during which a suspect is incarcerated.
The KSL Investigators have recognized a number of circumstances involving alleged sexual violence that stalled for months after regulation enforcement despatched them to Leavitt’s workplace for screening. One case involving a teenage sufferer took 5 months to display screen, and data present a now pending sexual abuse case towards Republican Senate candidate Brandon Beckham stalled for seven months.
‘This has bought to vary’: In Utah, sexual assaults are poorly tracked and below prosecuted
“We screened that when a sufferer known as and mentioned, ‘What’s the standing of this?’” mentioned Leavitt, addressing the delay in submitting the case towards Beckham. “And our coverage is, if the sufferer calls and inquires, we pull it up, we display screen it, we get it finished.”
Leavitt says his workplace is forward of most on the subject of prioritizing information assortment, however they’re not but monitoring how lengthy it takes to display screen circumstances involving alleged intercourse crimes.
“That’s an absolute concern,” mentioned Grey, who’s hoping to unseat Leavitt. “These circumstances have to be screened and determined upon in an expeditious and brief time.”
Grey mentioned he’s skeptical of whether or not Leavitt’s workplace has correctly addressed the present backlog and believes the coaching Leavitt says most of his prosecutors now have shouldn’t be adequate. Grey says prosecuting intercourse crimes requires years of expertise and on-the-job studying.
![](https://ksltv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/JeffGray.jpg)
Jeff Grey. (KSL TV)
“It’s a course of that you simply undergo,” he mentioned. “And there’s a motive it’s particular.”
Leavitt mentioned the intention behind the discharge of information on Friday was to let victims know his workplace has made progress in addressing intercourse crime circumstances.
The discharge comes two days after a weird collection of stories conferences involving Leavitt on Wednesday.
Leavitt publicly known as for an investigation into the Utah County Sheriff’s Workplace, to find out if regulation enforcement colluded with a rape suspect in Scotland preventing extradition to Utah, or if the sheriff’s just lately introduced investigation into ritualistic youngster sexual abuse is a politically motivated assault on Leavitt. Throughout that press convention, Leavitt additionally publicly mentioned a 2012 case that was dismissed, sharing that he and several other others are named in a 151-page sufferer assertion alleging the cannibalism and homicide of youngsters.
Utah County Lawyer calls for outdoor overview of sheriff over ritual youngster abuse investigation
Leavitt denounced the claims as solely false and repeatedly known as the alleged sufferer in that case “tragically mentally sick.” Sheriff Mike Smith criticized Leavitt’s characterization.
“These are victims of crime who’ve mustered the braveness to return ahead, and that is what we name them is mentally sick?” requested Smith, throughout his Wednesday press convention.
“I most likely mustn’t have referred to (the alleged sufferer) as ‘tragically mentally sick,’” Leavitt mentioned on Friday. “Does she have large swaths of info fully mistaken? Completely.”
Grey known as Leavitt’s feedback concerning the girl’s psychological state “unforgivable.”
“These are traumatic, traumatic experiences for these folks,” he mentioned. “And we’ve to take these allegations severely and comply with the place the proof leads. And he’s not doing that.”
If elected, Grey mentioned his first order of enterprise shall be to reinstate the particular victims unit and return the workplace to a extra conventional method of prosecuting intercourse crimes.
“That’s crucial that we try this,” he mentioned. “We want skilled and skilled prosecutors focusing in on these crimes.”
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Utah
Three takeaways from No. 12 Utah’s win over Southern Utah
![Three takeaways from No. 12 Utah’s win over Southern Utah Three takeaways from No. 12 Utah’s win over Southern Utah](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4466,h_2512,x_535,y_170/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_utes/01j6mw32xsfay97hj95f.jpg)
No. 12 Utah kicked off the 2024 season in impressive fashion with stars Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe returning to make strong statements in a commanding 49-0 victory over Southern Utah. The Utes delivered the expected result, showcasing their dominance while fine-tuning their game plan. As the team now sets its sights on a more challenging test against the Baylor Bears, here are three takeaways from Thursday night’s performance.
Utes run game shows promise
One of the most encouraging signs for Utah was the performance of their running game. While no single rusher stood out — the leading rusher managed just 34 yards — the team still compiled 185 rushing yards. This collective effort underscores a promising ground attack, one that has clearly benefited from improvements along the offensive line. The push from the line was solid, creating enough space for running backs to find creases and utilize cutback lanes, a notable improvement from last season when running room was often hard to come by.
However, for the rushing attack to be sustainable throughout the season, Utah will need one or more backs to emerge as go-to options. The distribution of carries worked against Southern Utah, but consistency from key players will be essential as the Utes face tougher defenses. The balance of an effective passing game, led by Rising and Kuithe, seemed to open up more opportunities for the ground game, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
Caleb Lohner’s impactful debut
Caleb Lohner, a converted basketball player, made a notable debut for Utah. Playing significant snaps, Lohner showcased his athleticism and versatility, particularly with his acrobatic, contested touchdown catch late in the game. The play, which appeared to be a back shoulder throw, demonstrated Lohner’s excellent hand-eye coordination and physicality, qualities that will make him a valuable asset in the tight end rotation.
Lohner’s route-running, physical presence, and involvement in both the passing and running game stood out, highlighting his potential to become a key contributor. His performance suggests that he could be a significant part of Utah’s offensive plans this season, especially as he continues to develop his skills on the football field.
Keanu Tanuvasa’s disruptive presence
Defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa emerged as a potential difference-maker for the Utes. While he didn’t register tackles behind the line of scrimmage, his ability to penetrate the backfield and disrupt plays was evident. Tanuvasa’s quick first step and knack for beating offensive linemen allowed him to create pressure consistently, forcing Southern Utah to adjust their game plan with quick passes to avoid his rush.
Though Tanuvasa missed a few opportunities to make game-changing plays, his consistent backfield presence was a highlight of Utah’s defensive effort. As the Utes prepare for stiffer competition, Tanuvasa’s disruptiveness could prove crucial. If he can maintain this level of play, he will be a key figure in Utah’s defense, creating headaches for opposing offenses throughout the season.
Utah welcomes Baylor into Rice-Eccles Stadium next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Utah
First-of-its-kind green dinosaur skeleton recovered in Utah could be new species, says National Geographic
![First-of-its-kind green dinosaur skeleton recovered in Utah could be new species, says National Geographic First-of-its-kind green dinosaur skeleton recovered in Utah could be new species, says National Geographic](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/NationalGeographic_2821541.jpg)
A new dinosaur species has potentially been recovered after the reconstruction of its remains.
The first-of-its-kind green dinosaur fossil was discovered in southeastern Utah, and was reassembled by a team from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC).
The 150-million-year-old dinosaur was first spotted in 2007, according to a report from National Geographic, among a “logjam” of various dinosaur bones belonging to diplodocus, stegosaurus, allosaurus, camarasaurus and other species.
DINOSAUR QUIZ! HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THESE PREHISTORIC CREATURES?
The bones that were collected for reconstruction do not belong to one single dinosaur, NatGeo reported.
Instead, they’re a combination of parts from two or more prehistoric reptiles of the same species found at the site.
Paleontologists Luis Chiappe, at right, and Pedro Mocho study a model of a diplodocus at Research Casting International, where real dinosaurs are reconstructed. (Craig Cutler/National Geographic)
The identity of this species has yet to be determined, as it may be new to science — but experts believe it belongs to the genus diplodocus due to its characteristic long neck and “four sturdy legs.”
NEW DINOSAUR SPECIES SIMILAR TO T. REX FOUND IN ASIA
In the meantime, the dinosaur has been named “Gnatalie” by excavation team members, as there was an influx of gnats during that first summer at the dig site, NatGeo said.
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From the site where the fossils were prepped, the bones were sent to Research Casting International (RCI) in Canada — one of the world’s largest providers of museum technical services — for casting and mounting.
Gnatalie then made its way to its new display in Los Angeles.
![dinosaur bone preparator](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/NationalGeographic_2821539.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
At the museum’s lab in Los Angeles, preparators cut open the jackets and spent years removing the concrete-hard matrix. Here, preparator Erika Durazo reveals the details in a section of the dinosaur’s spine. (Craig Cutler/National Geographic)
The sauropod, a large herbivorous dinosaur known for its long neck and tail, is the most complete skeleton of its kind on the West Coast, according to NatGeo.
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The dinosaur stands 75 feet long — almost twice the length of the average city bus — and weighs about five tons.
It’s also the first green dino skeleton to be displayed worldwide.
![full gnatalie dino skeleton recovery](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/NationalGeographic_full-dino-composite.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The crowning moment comes as RCI technician Kevin Krudwig positions the skull on the nearly completed skeleton, which measures 75 feet long and weighs about five tons. In life, the dinosaur may have weighed two times as much. (Craig Cutler/National Geographic)
Its unusual green color occurred after volcanic activity from 80 to 50 million years ago made it hot enough for a new green mineral to change the color of the bones, NatGeo reported.
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In November, the multi-million-dollar reconstruction will be the star attraction of a new wing of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Utah
Utah Utes all-time greatest football players: No. 19 Zane Beadles
![Utah Utes all-time greatest football players: No. 19 Zane Beadles Utah Utes all-time greatest football players: No. 19 Zane Beadles](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3484,h_1959,x_0,y_422/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_utes/01j6jmgg3qtmjzt24wy2.jpg)
Zane Beadles, a standout offensive lineman, had an illustrious career at the University of Utah from 2006 to 2009. His tenure at Utah was marked by his exceptional skill, leadership, and durability, making him one of the most celebrated linemen in the program’s history.
Beadles arrived at Utah in 2006 as a three-star recruit out of Hillcrest High School in Sandy, Utah. Initially, he played sparingly as a freshman, but by his sophomore year in 2007, he had become a key figure on the offensive line. Starting every game, Beadles quickly established himself as a versatile and reliable lineman. He initially played at right tackle but moved to left tackle during his junior and senior years, showcasing his adaptability and prowess in protecting the quarterback’s blindside.
One of the highlights of Beadles’ career at Utah was being a part of the 2008 Utah Utes football team, which went undefeated and achieved a historic victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The win solidified Utah’s place as a top team in the country and marked one of the most memorable seasons in the program’s history. Beadles was a key component of that team, anchoring an offensive line that played a crucial role in the team’s success. His protection allowed quarterback Brian Johnson to thrive, leading the Utes to their 13-0 season.
Throughout his collegiate career, Beadles earned numerous accolades. He was named to the All-Mountain West Conference team three times and received first-team honors in 2008 and 2009. In his senior year, he was also recognized as a consensus All-American, highlighting his status as one of the nation’s premier offensive linemen.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Beadles was known for his leadership and work ethic. He served as a team captain during his senior season and was a respected figure in the locker room. His commitment to excellence extended beyond football, as he was also a standout in the classroom, earning Academic All-Mountain West honors.
Beadles’ success at Utah paved the way for a career in the NFL. He was selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, marking the beginning of a professional career that would span several seasons.
Beadles’ legacy at the University of Utah remains strong. His impact on the field, combined with his leadership and academic success, made him one of the program’s most respected figures.
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