Utah County Attorney calls for death penalty against man accused of killing Santaquin police officer
-
- Micheal Aaron Jayne is accused of hitting and killing a Santaquin police officer Sunday, May 5, 2024, on Interstate 15.
-
- An undated photo of Sgt. Bill Hooser of the Santaquin Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty Sunday, May 5, 2024.
-
- Santaquin police officers carry the body of Sgt. Bill Hooser in Santaquin followed by his family on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Courtesy Utah Department of Public Safety
Micheal Aaron Jayne is accused of hitting and killing a Santaquin police officer Sunday, May 5, 2024, on Interstate 15.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray indicated Wednesday that he’s looking to seek the death penalty for the man accused of hitting and killing Santaquin police officer Sgt. Bill Hooser earlier this year, according to a press release.
Gray filed a notice to seek the ultimate punishment for Michael Aaron Jayne, who is facing nine felony charges, including aggravated murder, the release stated.
Jayne is accused of intentionally hitting and killing Hooser with an 18-wheeler semitruck while the officer and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper were making a traffic stop along Interstate 15 on May 5.
Hooser died at the scene. The UHP officer and a woman who court documents allege Jayne was holding against her will in the semi both survived.
Jayne, 42, allegedly fled the scene and stole two other vehicles before ultimately being arrested by police near Vernal.
Courtesy Santaquin Police Department
An undated photo of Sgt. Bill Hooser of the Santaquin Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Jayne appeared in court about a week later where the charges were handed down.
In July, Jayne was appointed new representation because the Utah County Public Defender’s Office said they had too many murder cases to handle, KSL Newsradio reported.
Jayne remains jail without bail. A status conference on the case is scheduled for Nov. 13, according to the release.
Santaquin police officers carry the body of Sgt. Bill Hooser in Santaquin followed by his family on Monday, May 6, 2024.
