The would-be robber who shot a 17-year-old grocery store employee and honor student and was killed in a struggle with the youth should have been behind bars.
Donald Moyes had been in trouble with the law for years and had served time for robbery. Moyes was on probation for a robbery charge and had violated parole by failing drug tests and not reporting to his parole officer.He was also arrested in Woods Cross on a felony charge in February but was allowed to post $5,000 bail.
How could a man with this kind of record be free?
His parole officer had been looking for him for two months. Prison officials say they were "starting the process" to revoke his parole, but delays were caused by heavy case loads among agents who handle such cases. Department of Corrections told the Legislature they need 38 more agents; lawmakers gave them 10.
Davis County sheriff's officials say they didn't know the man was on parole. But all county jails have computer access to a list of people in custody and under the supervision of the Department of Corrections.
Something obviously went wrong somewhere in the way Corrections officials and law enforcement people communicated. The miscommunication - however it was caused - may be at least partly to blame for Moyes' death and the wounding of Nate Nusz, an exemplary high school student.
Corrections and the Adult Probation and Parole department should review how all parolees are handled and how lists of parolees are provided to local law enforcement agencies.
A better system or more help is needed for overworked agents.
There are undoubtedly many parolees who are working to correct past mistakes - but obviously not all.
It's deplorable that a man convicted of serious crimes and showing no signs of changing his lifestyle was free to put more lives in danger. Nusz was lucky. But he shouldn't have to depend on luck.