The family of a man killed two years ago in Emigration Canyon has sued Salt Lake County, saying a statement made by a sheriff's spokesman was false and infringed upon the family's "privacy and liberty."
Shortly after police found the body of Edward Livsey, 62, on Aug. 26, 1997, in Emigration Canyon, Sgt. Jim Potter told a Deseret News reporter that Livsey's death looked like "one of those autoerotic things," according to the lawsuit filed Monday in federal court.Two days later, however, police arrested Hilario Medina in Las Vegas driving Livsey's car. He was charged with murder and a 3rd District jury convicted Medina of strangling Livsey. He was sentenced to five years to life in prison.
Roberto Sanchez Martinez testified at the trial that Medina and Livsey drove to a secluded area of Emigration Canyon where they engaged in sex acts. When the two later began arguing Medina beat Livsey with a knife and tied his hands and feet with shoelaces. Martinez said Medina then tied a bandanna around Livsey's neck and dragged him behind some bushes.
Following the trial Livsey's family said it did not believe Martinez's version of what led to the murder.
The family earlier filed a notice of claim with the county asking for $300,000 in damages for Potter's statement. The family also filed a petition with the county seeking a hearing to clear Livsey's name.
The suit is seeking damages to be determined at trial.