Opinion ID: 2639442
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: hamilton's arrest

Text: ¶ 12 On September 9, 1999, four uniformed officers went to Vance Springs to make sure everyone had left the property and to arrest anyone who remained. Sheriff Kenneth Yardley and Deputy Raymond Goodwin drove in one vehicle, Deputy Jim White drove alone, and Deputy John Chambers drove in a truck accompanied by his certified police dog, Max. While Chambers surveyed the property, Yardley, Goodwin, and White met at the south gate of Vance Springs. As the three officers entered the property and walked up the main road, they saw a blue pickup truck driving away from them and suspected that the driver was Hamilton. The officers radioed Chambers and instructed him to intercept the blue pickup truck at the north gate. ¶ 13 Finding the north gate locked and barricaded, Chambers climbed over the fence while his dog, Max, went under the fence. Chambers and Max headed southwest toward a nearby pond and rock house where Chambers had seen a stockpile of weapons on a previous occasion. Chambers spied Hamilton and the blue truck a short distance from the rock house. When Hamilton spotted the deputy, he got in his truck and drove to within ten feet of Chambers. Chambers attempted to approach and talk with him, but Hamilton warned, That's close enough, Chambers. Chambers continued to approach the truck and repeatedly directed Hamilton to stop the vehicle. In response, Hamilton revved the truck's engine and drove past Chambers. When Chambers realized Hamilton was not going to stop, he drew his sidearm and shot out the front and rear left tires. Hamilton did not stop, however, until he had driven about 300 yards. ¶ 14 After Hamilton pulled over, he got out of the truck and aimed his scoped rifle at Max. Chambers called Max to him, warning Hamilton not to shoot. Ignoring this warning, Hamilton shot and fatally wounded Max as Max was running back to Chambers. Chambers testified that Hamilton then fired two shots at him, which prompted Chambers to return fire while running for cover. Hiding behind his truck, Hamilton continued firing until he shot and severely wounded Chambers in the leg. [8] Hamilton then grabbed more ammunition from his truck and headed south on foot. ¶ 15 Hearing the gunshots, Sheriff Yardley rushed toward the sound. On the way, Yardley spotted Hamilton and attempted to intercept him. However, when he was within about seventy yards, Hamilton warned, That's close enough. Because Hamilton was pointing his rifle at him, Yardley perceived the warning as a threat and stopped. Since communication was difficult at this range, Hamilton allowed Yardley to move closer, but continued to train his rifle on him. When Yardley was within approximately thirty yards of Hamilton, Hamilton again told him not to come any closer. The two talked and Hamilton admitted that he shot Chambers. After speaking with Hamilton for a while, Yardley asked him to point his rifle elsewhere. Hamilton did so but he still kept the rifle in firing position, with his hands near the trigger. Deputy White soon approached with his hands in the air and joined the conversation. After a while, Hamilton stated that he was through talking, put his gun over his shoulder, and walked away. The two officers followed him and attempted to talk with him. When an opportunity arose, White tackled Hamilton and the two officers subdued and arrested him. ¶ 16 The State charged Hamilton with criminal trespass, attempted aggravated murder, [9] aggravated assault, interference with an arresting officer, and killing a police service dog. At the close of the State's case in chief, Hamilton moved to dismiss all of the charges except interference with an arresting officer. He claimed there was insufficient evidence to warrant submitting these charges to the jury. The trial court denied his motion. Subsequently, a jury convicted Hamilton on all of the charges listed above. He appeals his convictions on numerous grounds. We have jurisdiction pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 78-2-2(3)(i) (2002).