MOAB, UTAH: As the legal battle surrounding the tragic death of Gabby Petito unfolds, one name that has emerged is Eric Pratt, an officer from the Moab City Police Department. Pratt finds himself at the center of attention as the department hired legal representation to address the $50 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by Gabby's parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito.
The lawsuit, filed in November, alleges that several officers, including Pratt, failed to protect Gabby, ultimately leading to her untimely demise. The family's attorney, Brian Stewart, has brought to light a series of alleged failures by the police during an encounter between Gabby, her then-boyfriend Brian Laundrie, and the police on August 12, 2021.
Who is Eric Pratt?
Moab Police Officer Pratt was dispatched in response to a potential domestic altercation between Brian and Gabby, with an eyewitness reporting a man "slapping his girlfriend." The subsequent investigative review raised questions about the police's handling of the situation. Specifically, it was revealed that officers failed to adequately document injuries to Gabby's face, which later came to light through a selfie shared by the family's attorney.
A contentious point in the case is the police's determination that Gabby was the "primary aggressor" in the encounter. This assertion has sparked scrutiny, particularly in the aftermath of her tragic death. Following the encounter, Gabby's life was cut short by strangulation at the hands of Brian. He then fled and returned to Florida, leaving behind a trail of questions and heartache. Eventually, Brian admitted to killing his girlfriend in a suicide note left after he fatally shot himself.
What happened to the Moab police officer?
Following the filing of the lawsuit, cer5ain developments within the Moab Police Department have come to light, including the disclosure that Officer Pratt was elevated to the position of detective subsequent to Gabby's demise. Pratt has assumed this new role within the Moab Police Department, where he has been serving for several months.
What is the Petito family lawsuit against Moab police?
The lawsuit, filed in November, alleges that several officers, including Pratt, failed to protect Gabby, ultimately leading to her untimely demise. Although, recent developments reveal that Pratt, along with other officers from the Moab Police Department, has sought legal counsel to address the claims made by the Petito family. Mitchell A Stephens, a seasoned business litigation attorney based in Salt Lake City, has been engaged to represent the defendants in this high-stakes legal battle.
"Mitchell A. Stephens of the law firm of James Dodge Russell & Stephens P.C. hereby agrees to and does accept service on behalf of Moab City Police Department, Bret Edge, Braydon Palmer, and Pratt. These defendants do not waive any claims, defenses, or objections in this case, except for the adequacy of service of the First Amended Complaint," reported The Sun. Meanwhile, Officer Daniel Robbins has hired three other lawyers from Manning Curtis Bradshaw and Bednar PLLC in the wake of the legal battle.
The defense has requested that the Petito family cover “all estimated costs and attorney fees the [defendant officers] may be expected to incur in defending the action." While the legal process is expected to unfold over the coming months, Pratt and his fellow officers have yet to formally respond to the lawsuit, which is under the purview of Judge Don M Torgerson.
However, they did release a statement that read, "The death of Gabrielle Petito in Wyoming is a terrible tragedy, and we feel profound sympathy for the Petito and Schmidt families and the painful loss they have endured. At the same time, it is clear that Moab City Police Department officers are not responsible for Gabrielle Petito’s eventual murder."
Firing back, Gabby's mom Nichole previously said, "Our daughter, Gabby, died as a result of intimate partner violence that could have and should have been identified by law enforcement using the lethality assessment. We believe that if the lethality assessment had been properly used in her situation, together with the recommended support and resources, Gabby would still be alive today."
