The legislation is meant to strengthen how police investigate suspected intimate partner violence.
Less than two years later, with civil litigation still pending, lawmakers in Utah are advancing legislation to strengthen how police investigate suspected intimate partner violence like the kind now believed to have led to Petito’s death.
The “Lethality Assessment Protocol” on which Utah’s proposal is based was first piloted in Maryland two decades ago. Roughly half of law enforcement departments in Utah currently use the assessment protocol, yet as of now there is no statewide mandate. Though police officers regularly ask questions when they have probable cause to believe crimes like domestic violence are being committed, those in the assessment are designed to screen for risk and are based on statistical data that draws correlations between certain behaviors and danger to potential victims’ lives, Weiler said. They include questions about prior threats, access to firearms and a history of behavior such as choking, jealousy or spying.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, whose cousin was shot and killed by her ex-husband last year, said 22% of homicides in Utah were intimate partner-related and that the majority of suspects had prior interaction with law enforcement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Petito family lobbies for 'lethality assessment' law in UtahThe mother and father of a woman killed by her boyfriend in 2021 joined Utah lawmakers to lobby for the passage of a law to require police statewide screen for risks of intimate partner violence
Read more »
Petito family on hand as Utah Senate passes domestic violence billThe family of Gabby Petito was on Utah's Capitol Hill as the Senate passed a bill that will change how police respond to domestic violence calls.
Read more »
Gabby Petito's parents urge support for Utah domestic violence billGabby Petito's parents joined Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson at the state Capitol to advocate for SB117, which would require police to conduct lethality assessments.
Read more »
Gabby Petito, Mandy Mayne's families push for bill in Utah legislatureThe families of two high-profile murder victims were in the Utah State Senate to push for passage of a major domestic violence prevention bill that they believe could save lives.
Read more »
Utah Legislature to pledge $2M for ozone fight with EPALawmakers are seeking $2 million to help PacifiCorp fight EPA's decision to impose federal ozone-reduction plan on Utah, alleging it would force Utah's coal-fired power plants to retire early.
Read more »
Oregon men’s basketball beats Utah for 11th straight timeJermaine Couisnard scored 18 points and Oregon beat Utah 68-56 for its 11th straight win in the series
Read more »