Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced that a Third District Court jury convicted Roy Anthony Duran for the 2021 murder of Isaiah Valerio at a Halloween party in Salt Lake City.
On October 24, 2021, the defendant was at a Halloween party put on by his girlfriend near 500 West and 600 South in Salt Lake City. The defendant was trying to fight partygoers and, at one point, without provocation, punched Mr. Valerio after the defendant’s girlfriend said Mr. Valerio hit her. Video evidence of this encounter showed that Mr. Valerio did not strike the defendant’s girlfriend and a group of individuals at the event came to Mr. Valerio’s defense after the defendant attacked him. The defendant then pulled out his gun and shot Mr. Valerio in the face at point blank range, then ran from the scene.
The defendant was found guilty of one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and one count of second-degree felony obstructing justice.
A Third District Court jury convicted the defendant on Friday June 7, 2024. Sentencing for Mr. Duran is set for August 7, 2024.
“This tragic shooting, started by unprovoked violence, is heartbreaking to the loved ones of Mr. Valerio and our entire community. We hope that the justice and accountability that was delivered with this jury verdict will help begin the healing process for Mr. Valerio’s family,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “We thank our prosecutors Karissa McKinney and Josh Graves, the victim counselor Amy Kershisnik, and our support staff for their work on this case over the last three years. We thank Salt Lake City Police detectives for investigating this complicated case and providing the necessary evidence that led to this successful prosecution.”