Utah pardons board renames victim notification letter after boy killed in 2022

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole renamed its victim notification letter after Eli Mitchell, a teen killed by a DUI driver in 2022.
The letter and its name aims to humanize the legal process and honor Eli's memory.

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole is naming the letter that victims and their families first receive from the board after a 13-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a drunken driver while riding his bicycle.

The initial victim notification letter sent by the board will now be called "The Eli Mitchell Letter."

"'The Eli Mitchell Letter' is the first point of contact for victims of crime and the board. It provides timely and critical information about the post-conviction process. The new name is intended to humanize this process and to symbolize the board's unwavering commitment to a victim-centered approach," the board announced Monday. "The letter naming is a tribute to Eli's memory and a recognition of his family's tireless advocacy for victims' rights, including implementation of this initial notification."

In April of 2022, Eli was in a crosswalk at 1510 W. 9000 South when he was hit by a driver making a right turn. Mason Andrew Ohms, who police say had been drinking for six hours that day and had previously been convicted of DUI five times, was convicted of automobile homicide and sentenced to a minimum of one year in the Utah State Prison and up to 20 years.

"Implementation of this initial notification stemmed from the suggestion of Eli's grandfather, Glendon Mitchell, who has worked closely with the board to improve the victim notification process," said board administrator Jennifer Yim.

"Victim notification is a priority for the board, and we have been working to improve that process for years," board chairman Blake Hills added. "By naming this letter after Eli, we create a lasting legacy that honors a life taken too soon and reflects our commitment to ensuring victims are heard, respected and informed."

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole says the initiative is part of a bigger effort to enhance services for crime victims.

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