PROVO, Utah — A judge denied a retrial request from Jarrod Baum on Monday. In April, a Jury convicted Baum of killing two Utah teens and throwing their bodies down a mine shaft.

In part, Baum wanted a retrial so that his defense could use information from statements that were made by a juror after Baum’s murder trial concluded.

Baum’s defense attorney said they interviewed one of the jurors after the trial. Based on the juror’s statements, the defense believed a retrial was needed. 

But 4th District Judge Derek Pullman denied the request on Monday, saying Utah law does not allow statements by a juror to be used in a retrial.

On April 15, 2022, a jury convicted Baum of aggravated murder in the 2017 deaths of 17-year-old Brelynne “Breezy” Otteson and 18-year-old Riley Powell.

At that time, Baum was found guilty on all eight counts. The counts included two counts of murder and kidnapping. They also included one count of desecration of a body, obstruction of justice, and possession of a weapon by a restricted person.

Contributing: Simone Seikaly

Previous reporting:

• Baum sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole
• Jerrod Baum found guilty of murder, kidnapping of two teens in 2017
• Jury begins their deliberations in the murder trial against Jerrod Baum
• Baum trial wraps up second week with testimony from forensic psychologist
• Family of slain couple angry after Utah County death penalty decision
• Utah Co. Attorney to seek death penalty in case of murdered teens

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