Utah Supreme Court Considers Robbery Issue

Utah Supreme Court Considers Robbery Issue


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(KSL News) -- There's an interesting issue facing the Utah Supreme Court this morning. Holding up a store with your finger could land you in prison for life.

Under Utah law, the statue for aggravated robbery -- a first-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years to life -- states a person has to use a dangerous weapon or lead the victim to believe they are in danger of death or bodily injury.

It's that last part that the justices are struggling with. Some argue robbing a business with a finger or a squirt gun is not going to kill anyone and should be simple robbery.

Two such "finger robbery" cases are before the high court. One involves William Ireland, who pretended to have a gun when he robbed the Fortier Jewelers at the Gateway in 2003. He was sentenced to five years to life behind bars.

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