A Utah judge ruled that a man accused of fatally shooting another person inside a Salt Lake City Latter-day Saint meetinghouse last year can argue self-defense at trial, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The September 2025 shooting occurred during a Sunday service.

The legal ruling represents a significant development in a case that drew widespread attention when it occurred. The decision allows the defense to present evidence supporting a self-defense claim to jurors.

Prosecutors had sought to exclude the self-defense argument. The trial date and further details on the ruling's reasoning were not provided in the available reporting.