Utah Supreme Court resets arguments in two wrongful death cases

The Utah Supreme Court has rescheduled oral arguments in Petito v. Moab City Police Dept. and Mayne v. SLC Police Dept., both of which challenge how the Utah Governmental Immunity Act shields police departments from wrongful death claims. The hearings are now set for November 4 in Salt Lake City, a move that could shape how similar cases move through Utah courts.

Why it matters: - The two cases could affect how far the Utah Governmental Immunity Act protects government agencies and police departments from wrongful death lawsuits tied to third-party violence. - The court’s decision may influence future accountability claims against law enforcement in Utah.

What happened: - The Utah Supreme Court rescheduled oral arguments in two wrongful death cases handled by Parker & McConkie: Petito v. Moab City Police Dept. and Mayne v. SLC Police Dept. - Both hearings are now set for November 4 in Salt Lake City. - The court moved the cases from March after expanding to seven justices. - The hearings will take place in person at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State Street, 5th Floor, in the Supreme Court Courtroom. - Petito v. Moab City Police Dept. is Supreme Court Case No. 20241368-SC. - Mayne v. SLC Police Dept. is Supreme Court Case No. 20250388-SC.

The details: - Petito v. Moab City Police Dept. is seeking $50 million in damages from the Moab City Police Dept. - The Petito family alleges the department failed to enforce Utah domestic violence laws and provided improper training when officers questioned Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie during an apparent domestic violence incident on Aug. 12, 2021. - Gabby Petito was found dead about a month later. - Brian Laundrie admitted in his journal that he killed Petito before taking his own life. - Mayne v. SLC Police Dept. involves the family of Amanda Mayne, the cousin of Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. - The Mayne family alleges the Salt Lake City Police Department failed to take necessary actions before Amanda Mayne was killed by her husband in 2022. - Lower courts dismissed both cases, citing the Utah Governmental Immunity Act. - Both cases challenge a legal shield that protects governments and law enforcement from wrongful death suits when a death results from the actions of a third party. - More information on both cases is available here.

Between the lines: - The Supreme Court is revisiting two cases that sit at the intersection of police responsibility, domestic violence response and government immunity. - A hearing in these cases could clarify how Utah courts weigh alleged police failures against statutory protections for public agencies. - The Petito case carries national attention because of the high-profile circumstances surrounding Gabby Petito’s death.

What's next: - Oral arguments are set for November 4 in Salt Lake City. - The court will hear Petito v. Moab City Police Dept. at 10 a.m. and Mayne v. SLC Police Dept. at 11 a.m. - A ruling could follow after the justices review the arguments and case records.

The bottom line: - Utah’s highest court is set to hear two closely watched wrongful death appeals that could test the limits of governmental immunity for police departments.