FILE: Jerrod Baum's defense attorney told a judge his client deserved a retrial based on comments made to the defense by a juror, after Baum was found guilty, something prohibited by Utah law. (KSL TV) (File photo: KSL TV)
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