Reports of domestic violence preceded fatal stabbing, police say

TAYLORSVILLE -- Police have released the names of a Taylorsville man who died after being stabbed, and his step-son, who they say committed the crime.

The deceased is John L. Palm, 63, and the suspect is Doneral Dalton, 30.

Police received a call of a stabbing at a home on Rebecca Ann Circle (6570 South) near 2100 West around 3 a.m. Officers arrived within two minutes of the 911 call, which was made by another person inside the house, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal. When officers arrived, the suspect ran from the back of the home. Officers chased him and took Dalton into custody about a block away.

Palm had been stabbed multiple times with a knife.

"Initially, he's able to speak for a short period of time, says his step-son stabbed him," Hoyal said.

Palm's condition quickly deteriorated, however. He was taken to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and died a short time later.

Dalton was to be booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of homicide.

Hoyal said the two did have a history of domestic violence. According to Utah State Court records:

• Dalton was arrested and charged in October in Taylorsville Justice Court with domestic violence-related assault. The alleged victim in that case was Palm.
• In 2004, Palm was granted a protective order by a 3rd District Court judge, claiming cohabitant abuse from Dalton.
• Court records show Dalton also has a history of assault, theft and shoplifting charges.

It was not immediately clear Monday morning whether the step-son lived in the house with his mother and step-father or if he just stayed there on and off, Hoyal said.

Investigators were getting a search warrant Monday to go back inside the residence to process additional evidence.

Contributing: Shara Park and Randall Jeppesen

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