by Kylee Boyter
kboyter@cherryroad.com

Wesley R. Fauntin, 33, of Monroe, and Shawn M. Hayward, 48, of Herriman both plead not guilty for charges related to an altercation that took place following the Butch Cassidy Days rodeo in Marysvale this past fall.

Back on Sunday, August 4, Piute County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fight in Junction, Utah. In their press release it stated, “multiple people were involved in the fight and deputies on scene broke up the fight.”

A 19-year-old male, later identified as Taitum Leatham, suffered serious injuries as a result of the fight and was taken by ambulance to Sevier Valley Hospital and later life lighted to Utah Valley Hospital.

On August 10, arrest warrants were issued in the 6th District Court Fauntin and Hayward as shown in court records.

Fauntin has been charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault producing loss of consciousness, and aggravated assault according to records filed at the Sixth Judicial District – Junction District Court. All three charges Fauntin plead not guilty on November 18, 2024.

Hayward has been charged with aggravated assault producing loss of consciousness and aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury . Hayward plead not guilty on both charges on November 18, 2024 according to records filed at the Sixth Judicial District – Junction District Court.

In a previous interview with Piute County attorney, Scott Burns, he reiterated that, “The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.” As the legal burden of proof is thus on the prosecution.

A pretrial conference is set for February 10, 2025. The Richfield Reaper will continue to follow the trial and any court proceedings.