Bluffdale man charged with murder in death of 28-year-old Springville man
Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald
This undated photo shows the 4th District Courthouse in Provo.Charges were filed last week against a Bluffdale man who authorities believe stabbed a 28-year-old man outside his Springville residence, leading to his death.
On July 19, the Utah County Attorney’s Office charged Jaxson Clift, 23, with murder, a first-degree felony; aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony; and obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, after allegedly stabbing the victim on July 11.
According to a probable cause statement from Springville police, Clift sent threatening text messages to the victim in the events leading up to the stabbing.
Police said they observed text messages at 4:54 p.m. Friday where Clift sent the victim his Bluffdale address, and the victim responded at 5:51 p.m., saying he was on his way. Clift and the victim were then observed together in a vehicle during a traffic stop earlier Friday night, according to the affidavit.
According to the probable cause statement, at 2:21 a.m. Saturday, Clift allegedly sent a message containing victim’s address, followed by messages at 2:27 a.m. stating “why you scared,” and “pull back up.” At 2:24 a.m., he texted, “Pull up where I work you’ll have more problems than me I promise you that.”
The victim responded at 2:54 a.m. saying, “That’s ok I know where you work I’ll see you soon,” to which Clift responded with “Good luck finding me lmaoo” and again sent the victim’s address followed by a text that said “mean anything to you?,” according to the affidavit.
At 3:05 a.m., Clift sent a picture of the victim’s car and driveway, and the victim responded at 3:11 a.m. with “that’s koo and I’ll see you soon,” the affidavit said.
Police responded to a report of a male victim bleeding at 3:14 a.m. and arrived to find the victim on the floor of the residence with stab wounds, according to the probable cause statement. The man was taken to the hospital where he died.
The statement said the victim’s girlfriend told officers the victim had been in a disagreement with Clift.
Ring doorbell footage showed the victim exit the home, get into an altercation with another individual and then return to the home bleeding, the affidavit said.
Authorities said they found multiple injuries on Clift’s arms and legs, including multiple leg abrasions and a cut on his finger that appeared to come from a knife, as well as a drop of blood on his shoes.
