Salt Lake Tribune
Man pleads not guilty in slaying of his father This e-mail was initiated by machine [10.148.8.5] at IP [10.148.8.5].
A mentally ill man who allegedly killed his father with a shotgun while duck hunting last fall pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder during a Monday hearing in 2nd District Court. Benjamin Joseph Gully, 20, is charged with the Oct. 9 slaying of James Gully, 61, of Holladay. Family members have said the defendant is mentally ill and had his first psychotic episode more than a year ago. But a judge found him competent to stand trial. A scheduling hearing is set for April 21 before Judge Michael Allphin.
Boy suffers cuts in pit bull attack
A 7-year-old boy suffered severe cuts Friday after a pit bull attacked him in Salt Lake City. The boy was walking home from school with his brother and friends when the dog began to chase the group. The pit bull bit the boy several times. Animal control officers took custody of the dog and another pit bull at a home in the 1000 South block of Navajo St. ( 1357 West).
Health Department clears Magna home
Salt Lake Valley Health Department inspectors have determined the Magna home where a woman was found sitting in her own urine and feces last week poses no health risk. Paramedics responding to a report of stroke found the 72-year-old woman sitting in a recliner on Tuesday in a home on the 3800 South block of Centennial Road (7400 West). Maggots were also found in the home. The homeowners were allowed to clean the residence, and on Monday, it was considered to be habitable, said Pam Davenport, health department spokeswoman. The health department didn't close the home, Davenport said.
Former Leavitt aide again faces gun charge
A charge of brandishing a gun on Interstate 15 was refiled on Monday against Gov. Mike Leavitt's former chief of staff - this time by Utah County authorities. Robert Craig "Bob" Gross was originally charged in Salt Lake County with threatening someone with a dangerous weapon, a class A misdemeanor. But the charge was dismissed last month after further investigation showed the alleged crime occurred in Utah County. Gross now faces the identical charge in Provo's 4th District Court. Police claim Gross waved a pistol at another driver during a road-rage incident on Aug. 4, 2004.
Bountiful man sentenced for molesting young girl
A 47-year-old Bountiful man who sexually molested a girl a decade ago has been sentenced to prison for three concurrent terms of 10 years to life. Robert Roy Baker was also sentenced in 2nd District Court to a consecutive 1-to-15-year term for possessing a huge child pornography collection. Baker was arrested in November after the abuse victim, now an adult, came forward. Upon his arrest, police found thousands of pictures in his home of small children engaged in sexual activities.
Man sentenced for Web enticement of a minor
A 27-year-old Utah man has been sentenced to probation and 90 days home confinement for using the Internet to arrange a meeting with an undercover police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. Taylor Jay Thompson pleaded guilty in 3rd District Court to one count of attempting to entice a minor over the Internet, a third-degree felony. As part of his 24-month probation, Thompson must pay a $500 fine, complete 100 hours of community service and submit to DNA testing.
Man charged after home entered, woman choked
A 19-year-old man was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with allegedly entering a home and choking one of the occupants. The Provo man was charged with a second-degree felony count of burglary and a class B misdemeanor count of assault. According to court documents, the man entered a home on the 7800 block of South Main with an unknown suspect. At one point, one of the suspects choked an occupant until she blacked out, according to court records.