Utah County prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against a Springville man charged with killing his mother and another man, according to a report published October 12.
In a notice filed in Provo’s Fourth District Court on Friday, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray stated that the state intends to seek the death penalty for both counts of aggravated murder against Matthew Jacob Leonard.
Gray said the decision to seek the death penalty is supported by substantial evidence and is made in the interest of justice. The move comes after consultation with the families of the victims.
Authorities say 28-year-old Leonard shot and killed Sarah Johnson, of Springville, and John Handricks, of Salt Lake City, in Springville on March 20.
In addition to the aggravated murder charges, Leonard faces five counts of felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, and two counts of abuse or desecration of a dead human body.
According to a probable cause statement, Springville police received a missing person report for Johnson on March 26, noting she had not been contacted since March 19.
On April 6, police received a call from a family member claiming Johnson had been shot and that her body had not been located. By April 8, police identified witnesses who were with Leonard, Johnson, and Handricks at Leonard’s residence on the night of March 19 and the early morning of March 20.
Witnesses reported seeing Johnson and Handricks enter the residence to sleep, followed later by Leonard. One witness reported hearing five gunshots while approaching the front door. Witnesses stated that Leonard briefly spoke with them after the shots were heard, leaving the witnesses to flee the area on foot.
Leonard was arrested on April 11. During the investigation, detectives located large pools of blood and evidence of attempts to clean up blood within the house, along with holes in the drywall consistent with a .22 bullet being lodged in them.
On April 15, authorities found a smashed cellphone and remnants of a mattress that had been burned in a bonfire at the home. Forensic testing also found evidence of human blood in Leonard's vehicle, according to court documents.
