In the winter of 2019, the life of a 40-year-old Caucasian female, Ashlie Logston, was cut tragically short in an incident that would take years to see a legal resolution. On December 9, 2019, in an East Carbon, Utah home, emergency dispatchers received a call reporting an accidental, self-inflicted shooting. Upon arrival, authorities found Logston in critical condition with a gunshot wound to her head. She was holding a firearm while seated when the weapon discharged.
Logston succumbed to her injuries ten days later on December 19, 2019.
The initial account of the incident was provided by Colton James Price, Logston's boyfriend, who was present at the scene. However, investigators found that evidence at the home conflicted with his version of events. Over the course of the investigation, Price gave several different and conflicting accounts of how Logston had been shot. This, along with other evidence, led authorities to believe that Price had pointed the weapon at and shot Logston. Despite this conclusion, it would be nearly three years before charges were formally brought against him.
In December 2022, Colton James Price, then 27, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and obstructing justice. Prosecutors alleged that he had recklessly grabbed the firearm from Logston, causing it to discharge. The case saw a number of legal maneuvers, including a dismissal without prejudice in March 2023, which allowed the Carbon County Attorney's Office to refile charges against him in July of the same year.
The case finally went to trial in September 2024. The jury was tasked with untangling the conflicting narratives and forensic evidence presented. After a week-long trial, the jury reached a verdict. Colton James Price was found not guilty of manslaughter. However, he was found guilty on the lesser charge of negligent homicide, as well as one count of obstructing justice. Following the verdict, Price was taken into custody to await sentencing.
