Today, a judge sentenced Nicholas Rossi to a prison term of five years to life for a 2008 rape in Orem, Utah. Agreeing completely with the prosecution’s position that Rossi was manipulative and posed a significant risk of future dangerousness, the judge ordered Rossi to serve this sentence consecutively to an identical sentence for rape imposed last month by a Salt Lake County judge. Rossi will therefore spend at least ten years in prison for both rapes.
“This sentence is a significant victory for the victim in this case, and for sexual assault victims across the state,” said prosecutor Stephen Jones. “While every case is unique, this case is proof that juries can and will convict based on a victim’s report. The strength this victim has demonstrated is absolutely remarkable.”
September 27, 2025
Defendant, Tyler Robinson, will not appear in person at the waiver hearing set for Monday, September 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. MDT.
He will attend virtually from the jail.
The following individuals are included in the Tyler Robinson Trial Team:
Jeff Gray - Bio
Chad Grunander - Bio
Ryan McBride - Bio
David Sturgill - Bio
Lauren Hunt - Bio
Christopher Ballard - Bio
Read Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray's statement on the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the process for filing formal charges, and the press conference to announce those charges.
Read the County Attorney's findings on OICI 24CI02 that occurred on April 26, 2024, involving Calvin Zackery Grace. The findings explain that the one-car accident that resulted in Mr. Grace's death was not an officer-involved critical incident, because the accident was not caused by an officer's use of a motor vehicle or other force.
May 15, 2025
Utah County Attorney’s Office to Re-examine
Douglas Carter Prosecution
Today the Utah Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s order vacating Douglas Stewart Carter’s aggravated murder conviction and death sentence for the 1985 murder of Provo resident Eva Olesen. The Utah County Attorney’s Office is committed to seeing that justice is served. Because this case is now 40 years old, and given the evidentiary issues identified in the court’s opinion, we must thoroughly and carefully re-examine all the evidence, including determining the current state of the existing evidence and locating and potentially reinterviewing witnesses. Assuming that sufficient evidence remains to support the charges against Mr. Carter, the Utah County Attorney’s Office will proceed to retry him for aggravated murder. Because Mr. Carter’s conviction has been reversed, he is now entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Today a jury convicted Kent Cody Barlow of two counts of Depraved Indifference Homicide for killing Odin Ratliff and Hunter Jackson on May 2, 2022, when he lost control of his speeding car and crashed into the horse stables where the three-year-old boys were playing with their toy trucks. Barlow, who was high on methamphetamine and driving his car at over 120 mph on Tiffany Lane in Eagle Mountain, ignored his passengers’ repeated screams to stop. He also ignored the unmistakable signs of bustling life at the Cedar Valley Stables as he sped towards the facility, flooring his accelerator. Barlow also ignored the stern warning he received from the judge who had sentenced him in a previous speeding case—where Barlow was traveling over 100 mph—that such behavior was deadly.
Prosecutors Ryan McBride and Michael Starrs masterfully organized and presented the substantial evidence showing how Barlow’s actions that day demonstrated a depraved indifference towards, and utter callousness for, human life. “It was our pleasure and our privilege to bring some measure of justice to Odin and Hunter’s families,” said McBride and Starrs. “While these verdicts cannot begin to make those families whole, we hope that they can find some peace knowing that a jury has held Barlow accountable under the law.”
Utah County has unfortunately experienced an increasing number of tragic and unnecessary deaths from excessive speeds, distracted driving, road rage, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray is committed to holding fully accountable all those who, like Mr. Barlow, so flagrantly violate the law and endanger others. “This behavior needs to stop now. I plead with all who travel our roads to obey our traffic laws, treat fellow drivers with kindness, and turn the other cheek when confronted with rude motorists.”
Barlow faces a prison sentence of fifteen years to life for each count.