In a recent court proceeding, Jennifer Gledhill, charged with the murder of her husband, Guardsman Matthew Johnson, received a no-contact order that prevented her from being in contact with her children. As per KUTV, the court's decision came about during Gledhill's initial appearance from the Salt Lake County jail, which lasted roughly eight minutes. Furthermore, a scheduled hearing has been assigned with the judge who will preside over the continuing case.
The protective order was requested by the state due to concerns that any contact Gledhill might have with her three children, aged 11, 7, and 5, could potentially lead to obstruction of justice. These children may serve as witnesses in the trial. In the words of state attorney Shantell Argyle, as reported by ABC4, "Given the age of the children and severity of the offense it is concerning that additional trauma may arise at this time."
Defense attorney Jeremy Deus described the protective order as a "heavy-handed tactic" used by state prosecutors to put pressure on his client, Jennifer Gledhill. He expressed the difficulties of the situation by saying, "I can’t imagine what it’s like to say that she can’t see the children and in effect telling the children that they can’t see mom either," Deus said, as per ABC4. Despite Deus's argument that any visits would be supervised, thereby reducing chances for obstruction, Prosecutor Argyle stood firm on the decision.
The concerns over the safety of the children are situated within a historical context, as explained by the state. Cases have occurred where defendants have subsequently harmed or even killed minor witnesses, which informs current prosecutorial caution. This was presented during the legal proceedings, articulated by an unnamed source associated with the case who cited past instances of harm to minors by defendants, according to FOX13. The judge has issued a temporary protective order pending argumentation before a different judge at a date to be determined.
Matthew Johnson, a member of the Utah National Guard, has been missing since September 23 and his body has not been found. Investigations into Johnson's disappearance led to the accusations against Gledhill, who allegedly admitted to shooting him to a man with whom she was having an extramarital affair and said to have buried him in a shallow grave. These details emerged during the court hearing and have set a somber tone for the case that is unfolding, with the fate of the Gledhill's children and the search for Johnson still being in the balance.
