Overview
- Judge Tony Graf heard arguments Tuesday on defense requests to close portions of the July 6–10 preliminary hearing and to seal specific exhibits.
- Prosecutors urged an open proceeding and said they will present forensic findings, videos, recorded witness statements, alleged messages, and a note to show probable cause.
- The state asked to bar the public from handling or copying sensitive exhibits rather than close the room, and it previewed five officer witnesses and a recorded statement from roommate Lance Twiggs.
- The defense pressed to close the entire hearing and release a transcript later, and the judge questioned whether that plan is narrowly tailored to the need for a fair trial.
- Attorneys for a media coalition opposed broad closures, citing Utah’s presumption of public access and established tools like larger juror pools and detailed questionnaires to manage potential bias.