County wants two from Ute Tribe in connection with beating

Tuesday, May 21, 2013  

Two members of the Ute Tribe have been charged in connection with a beating in Uintah County, Utah.

Emmett Rey Duncan Jr. and Megan Murray are charged with aggravated assault and theft for the May 15 attack on Jessie Maez. The victim remains in a coma due to injuries he suffered during the attack.

A non-tribal member was also charged in connection with the beating. Authorities say a juvenile might have been involved as well.

On the night of the incident, Bureau of Indian Affairs police located a car that Duncan and Murray were driving on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The county, however, says it isn't allowed to make arrests on the reservation.

The tribe is currently suing the county over criminal jurisdiction issues.

Get the Story:
Warrants issued for 3 suspects in beating that left Vernal man in coma (The Deseret News 5/21)

Ute Tribe accuses county of overstepping criminal jurisdiction (05/02)