SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A repeat domestic violence offender was arraigned on murder charges for what was previously considered “an accidental, tragic loss of life” by the Salt Lake County District Attorney.
DA Sim Gill declined to prosecute Alexander Wardell for the death of his girlfriend and her dog on February 18, 2023, inside a storage unit in Murray.
Wardell appeared virtually from the Utah State Prison before Commissioner Todd Olsen.
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Murray Police investigators said Wardell locked Morgan Kay Harris and her dog Huck inside the storage unit at the CubeSmart Storage facility before it caught on fire. Wardell had gone to Walmart.
DA Gill held a press conference in 2024, publicly stating he was unable to “ethically” charge Wardell without further evidence that he was present or had the intent to start the fire inside the storage unit…