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Utah Eyes Domestic-Violence Law Change After Brutal Shooting

Memorez and Jase Rackley, mother and son murdered by her ex-boyfriend in June.
gousoe.uen.org
Memorez and Jase Rackley, mother and son murdered by her ex-boyfriend in June.

Utah lawmakers want to fix gaps in domestic violence law exposed when a man killed his ex-girlfriend and her son by opening fire on a car full of children after school.

Republican Sen. Todd Weiler says victim Memorez Rackley couldn't have gotten a protective order, despite a previous stalking report, because the couple had never been married or lived together.

Weiler calls that lunacy. The bill is now before the Utah House after clearing the Senate Monday.

Democratic Rep. Angela Romero says they're hoping the changes ensure victims don't stay in the shadows for fear of a complicated process or not being believed.

Rackley and 6-year-old Jase died after her ex-boyfriend confronted her on the way home from the boy's school on June 6, three days after she reported being stalked.