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FILLMORE — The criminal cases against two Millard County sheriff's deputies accused of failing to properly perform their duties while investigating a domestic violence case have now been dismissed.
Deputies Richard Lee Warren, 45, of Scipio, and Taylor James Frampton, 29, of Fillmore, were charged in December in 4th District Court with two counts of obstruction of justice, one third-degree felony and one class A misdemeanor; plus two counts of official misconduct, a class B misdemeanor. In addition, Warren was charged with witness tampering, a third-degree felony, and Frampton was charged with illegally accessing records and disclosing private information, class B misdemeanors.
The charges were filed by the Utah Attorney General's Office, which was asked by Millard County to conduct an independent investigation. At issue was whether Warren's intimate relationship with a woman interfered with the way he and Frampton handled a domestic violence case involving that woman and another man.
Warren's case was dismissed on July 3 based on a motion by prosecutors who said there was "insufficient evidence" to proceed.
One of the counts of official misconduct against Frampton was dismissed in March, and the second count as well as the charge of obstruction of justice were dismissed at Frampton's preliminary hearing when a judge determined the state had not met its burden of proof. The remaining charges were dismissed Tuesday and the case has been closed.
"Deputy Taylor Frampton has been presumed innocent through this entire taxing ordeal. He exercised his right to have an evidentiary hearing before a neutral and impartial judge. Evidence was received and arguments were heard. After which, Judge (Anthony) Howell determined that there was not enough evidence to proceed towards a trial on most of the counts. We are grateful that the Utah Attorney General's Office considered further discussion and evidence regarding the remaining counts and decided to dismiss them," Frampton's attorney, Nathan Evershed, said Tuesday.
"This case is a good example of multiple constitutional functions operating properly and, in due course, justice was done. Of course, deputy Frampton wishes the charges were never filed, but he is now highly relieved that the case is dismissed so he can move forward with his life."
