Kirk family may have path around archaic law shielding gov't in police chiefs alleged got you covered text
Utah law granting broad immunity to government entities and their employees could make it difficult for Charlie Kirk’s family to pursue a wrongful death claim against the state and Utah Valley University — but there's a key piece of evidence they've raised in legal filings that could clear the hurdle, according to a trial attorney and legal analyst."Utah law makes it very difficult for the Charlie Kirk family to proceed with a civil claim against the state and the university," said Randolph Rice, a Maryland-based attorney and former prosecutor who is following the case.The Utah Governmental Immunity Act shields government entities and employees from many civil damages claims, he said.CHARLIE KIRK'S FAMILY ALLEGES UVU KNEW OF ROOFTOP SECURITY RISK BEFORE HIS ASSASSINATION: LEGAL FILINGLaw enforcement officers work at Utah Valley University, where U.S.conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed during an event, in Orem, Utah, U.S.
September 10, 2025.(REUTERS/Jim Urquhart)A lawsuit from the family of Gabby Petito against the Moab Police Department alleged that officers were negligent in their response to a traffic stop involving Brian Laundrie two weeks before he killed her.
A judge dismissed the case on governmental immunity grounds.The Petito family is appealing.GABBY PETITO'S MOTHER URGES PUBLIC 'RIPPLE EFFECT' TO HELP FIND THE MISSING 5 YEARS AFTER DAUGHTER'S MURDERCharlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck and killed.(Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)"Generally speaking, they are immune from any type of civil suit, meaning money damages," Rice said — but there is a potential exception.Kirk's family filed a notice of claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit, last week — alleging that Utah Valley University, the state of Utah and key officials f...