SLCo DA declines to file charges against Tim Ballard

Today, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney announced the office declined to file criminal charges against Tim Ballard related to allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
 
District Attorney Sim Gill said: “We want to begin by recognizing the bravery it takes to come forward and disclose deeply personal and traumatic experiences. We acknowledge the impact of these events and commend the courage it took to speak with investigators and participate in the process. In our justice system, the State carries the burden of proving criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard is the highest in our law, designed to ensure fairness and prevent wrongful convictions. It does not mean that we disbelieve or diminish a survivor’s account, but rather that the law requires evidence strong enough to remove every reasonable doubt for a jury.
 
“After a thorough investigation, we determined that there is insufficient admissible evidence to meet the legal burden of proof. While the survivors have provided important and compelling statements, critical corroborating evidence is unavailable, and certain necessary elements of the charges cannot be established with the certainty required by the law. This decision does not diminish the value of the survivors’ voices or the harm they have experienced. We remain committed to supporting survivors, connecting them with resources, and pursuing accountability whenever the evidence meets the legal and ethical standards. We also stand ready to revisit this matter if additional evidence becomes available.”
 
We commend the courage of those who came forward and the work of law enforcement who investigated these matters.  All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.