Ethan Andrew Galloway, charged as the shooter in the tragic death of 17-year-old KayLee Dutton on January 17, entered a guilty plea to six first-degree felonies on Tuesday in Cedar City.
Galloway could be staring down a sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 29, with the minimum term ranging from 15 to 40 years according to Utah’s indeterminate sentencing guidelines.
Galloway, alongside his defense attorney Clifford Gravett, entered guilty pleas in front of 5th District Judge Meb Anderson.
“Are you entering this plea voluntarily and knowingly today?” Anderson asked, to which Galloway replied, “Yes, sir.”
“You’re aware that the crimes charged carry a maximum possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison and five years to life in prison, and those could be run consecutively or concurrently. Do you understand that?” Anderson asked Galloway, who again replied, “Yes, sir.”
“You understand that if your attorneys made any deals with the prosecutors, even the deals that I hadn’t heard about (until) today, I’m not bound by those deals at sentencing. Do you understand that?” Anderson continued as Galloway again replied affirmatively.
Moments prior, Anderson expressed that he was not yet informed about the suggested agreement, noting that Galloway’s appearance was marked on the calendar as a waiver hearing rather than a change of plea.
The signed agreement, initialed by all involved parties, including the judge, features a concise factual statement in which Galloway acknowledges firing the shots that resulted in Dutton’s death.
“I did, on or about January 17, 2025, in Iron County, State of Utah, while Michael Hess-Witucki drove his vehicle in pursuit of a red Chevy truck, fire twelve (12) rounds into the driver’s side door and window. These rounds struck Kaylee Dutton multiple times and caused her death,” Galloway affirms in the document.
Following his responses to the judge’s inquiries, Galloway admitted guilt to one charge of murder and five charges of felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious bodily harm. While all charges are classified as first-degree felonies, the murder accusation could result in a sentence ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment, whereas each firearm-related charge may lead to a punishment of five years to life.
The potential for consecutive six terms could result in a minimum of 40 years and possibly a life sentence for the 24-year-old Galloway. Moreover, each of the six first-degree felonies comes with a possible fine of $10,000, along with a 90% surcharge.
In a significant development, 10 additional charges against Galloway have been dropped as part of the plea deal. Charges have been dismissed, encompassing seven extra counts related to felony firearm discharge, alongside counts for obstruction of justice, weapons possession, and drug possession.
Anderson subsequently mandated that Adult Probation and Parole carry out a presentence investigation report ahead of Galloway’s sentencing, set for 9 a.m. on Aug. 29.
More than two dozen members of the Dutton family, along with friends and supporters, gathered for the hearing, many proudly donning T-shirts that celebrated KayLee’s memory.
In a recent update, it has been confirmed that Galloway was among four individuals taken into custody at their common residence in Cedar City on January 18, following the incident that occurred the previous day.
