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SALT LAKE CITY — Susan Hunt wants a new civil trial in the death of her son, Darrien Hunt, who was shot and killed by two Saratoga Springs police officers in 2014.
But her former husband, Curtis Hunt, apparently doesn't feel the same way.
Earlier this month, Curtis Hunt, who has been listed as a plaintiff in the ongoing legal battle along with Susan Hunt and the estate of Darrien Hunt, filed court documents in opposition to Susan Hunt's motion for a new trial.
In April, U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell dismissed the federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the Hunts against Saratoga Springs and the two officers who fatally shot Darrien Hunt, 22, while also ruling that Susan Hunt had agreed to an out-of-court settlement of $900,000 and ordered her to take the money.
In May, however, Susan Hunt filed a motion for a new trial, maintaining that her former attorney, Robert Sykes, never had the authority to agree to a settlement, that the settlement was not binding without Hunt's signature, and that there was never an evidentiary hearing.
In their response, attorneys for Saratoga Springs contend that "grounds for reconsideration do not exist."
"Ms. Hunt offers no new evidence, and instead simply reasserts the arguments she made before. This is the third time the issues have been briefed," the city argues in its response.
In a very brief court filing, Curtis Hunt has now joined with those opposed to the motion for a new trial. Curtis Hunt's attorney, Karra Porter, said Monday that he agrees with the legal reasoning outlined in Campbell's decision.
Susan Hunt has until Jun 29 to file her reply to defendants' opposition.
Other charges
Earlier this month, Hunt, 53, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a scuffle with police a month after her son was killed for violating an agreement that would have dismissed the case. Her class C misdemeanor charges would have been dismissed in six months had she not committed any new crimes.
The deal fell apart when Hunt was arrested in January and was charged with DUI and reckless driving for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road along state Route 73 near Stockton, Tooele County.
Darrien Hunt was shot six times, mostly from behind, while running away from Saratoga Springs Police Cpl. Matt Schauerhamer and officer Nicholas Judson while carrying a katana sword. The shooting was determined to be legally justified by the Utah County Attorney's Office.
