Police briefs

Lawyer pleads not guilty to owing $$

CEDAR CITY — A Utah lawyer has pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars from a settlement to relatives of victims of a plane crash.

Also Thursday, Matthew T. Graff waived a preliminary hearing where prosecutors would have had to show their evidence to take the case to trial. His defense lawyer, Gregory Skordas, says the hearing isn't necessary.

Graff practiced law in Cedar City and St. George.

He is charged with two second-degree felony counts of unlawful dealing of property by a fiduciary.

Court papers say Graff, 38, owes $848,875 to two men whose wives died in a plane crash last August near Moab that also killed eight other people.

— The Associated Press

S. Jordan police probe fatal shooting

SOUTH JORDAN — Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday as a homicide.

South Jordan Police Lt. Don Starks said officers were dispatched to a home near 11400 South and 450 West around 5:10 a.m. On arrival, police discovered that a man had suffered a single gunshot to the chest. Attempts to resuscitate the man were made, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police estimate his age at between 21 and 30.

The shooting followed an altercation at a house party, Starks said. Police have identified several people of interest and are gathering witness reports. No arrests have been made.

— Clayton Norlen

Apartment tenant charged with arson

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A man arrested in connection with a fire at an apartment complex that damaged at least seven units has been charged with arson.

Lance Levart was charged with aggravated arson, obstructing justice and seven counts of criminal mischief.

On July 13, Levart, who lived at the four-story Villa Chablis apartment and condominium complex at 246 E. Helm Ave. (3645 South), became upset with his apartment owner for charging him late fees, according to court documents.

He reacted to the late fees by taking a plastic bottle full of gasoline, dumping it in his apartment and lighting it, court documents state. Prosecutors say Levart then drove to Lehi to get rid of the bottle.

The fire forced the evacuation of about 100 tenants and caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.