Mom of Utahn killed by ex to appeal her lawsuit against Salt Lake City police

SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah mother plans to appeal her lawsuit alleging Salt Lake City police could have prevented her daughter’s death in 2022 after a judge dismissed the case this week. Shauna Mayne sued the police department last year, alleging it failed to recognize the danger her daughter Amanda “Mandy” Mayne faced when her ex-husband Taylor Martin went to her job, argued with her boyfriend and insisted to police he wasn’t stalking her. Salt Lake City police declined to comment on the lawsuit Friday. Mandy Mayne, 34, is seen in police body camera video telling an officer she wanted a protective order and that Martin harassed her family. Just two days after showing up at her work, police said her ex-husband shot and killed her while she was on her way to work, then turned the gun on himself. In a statement to KSL, Shauna Mayne said her lawsuit is an opportunity to help others. “I believe we have a chance to make a real difference in how police approach domestic violence cases. Victims of domestic violence deserve to have their safety taken seriously,” she said. One of her lawyers told KSL that they expected her lawsuit would get tossed out in 3rd District Court just as it did Thursday, with the judge citing the state’s Governmental Immunity Act as the reason for dismissing the case. Attorney Judson Burton said his client plans to appeal to the Utah Supreme Court, arguing the immunity act – broadly shielding police departments and other government agencies from civil liability – conflicts with the right granted by Utah’s constitution to sue for wrongful death. He said his client ultimately wants police to receive better training and more resources. Shauna Mayne said in the statement that she is “grateful to know that Mandy is one step closer to getting her day in court.” Burton agreed, adding it could be well over a year before the state’s high court decides the case. “I don't think you ever get better from the loss of a loved one or a child,” he said of his client and the Mayne family. “But they're committed to seeing this through, to seeing if they can bring about a change that benefits other people in the state and protects other people's daughters and other people's sons.” Mandy Mayne’s family also pushed state leaders for reform, and the Legislature listened in 2023, passing a law requiring police to use danger assessments to help victims in domestic violence cases.

Domestic violence resources

If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available.

• The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
• Resources are also available online at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition website.
• YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
• Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

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