A Utah man has been found guilty of “depraved indifference homicide” after he drove his car into a horse stable at a speed of 120 mph, resulting in the death of two toddlers. The man, 28-year-old Kent Cody Barlow, was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident.
The jury reached its verdict on Friday, convicting Barlow for the deaths of 3-year-olds Odin Ratliff and Hunter Jackson. The incident occurred on May 2, 2022, when Barlow was driving recklessly along Tiffany Lane in Eagle Mountain, approximately 30 miles northwest of Provo. Despite pleas from his passengers to slow down, Barlow lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the Cedar Valley Stables, according to a statement from the Utah County Attorney’s Office.
Michael Starrs, the deputy Utah County attorney, painted a vivid picture of the tragic incident during his closing argument. He described how the two boys were innocently playing, collecting chicken eggs and chasing cats, when their lives were abruptly ended by Barlow’s reckless driving. Starrs emphasized that Barlow ignored clear signs of life at the stables, including the presence of multiple cars.
The prosecution also highlighted Barlow’s previous conviction for driving over 100 mph three years prior to the fatal crash. Despite a judge’s warning about the potential deadly consequences of his speeding, Barlow continued his dangerous behavior.
Barlow’s defense attorney, Justin Morrison, acknowledged that his client was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. However, he argued that Barlow did not intend to lose control of his vehicle or harm the boys. Morrison insisted that Barlow is not “a cold-blooded killer.”
The families of the victims, however, were convinced of Barlow’s guilt. “Hearing the words guilty of depraved indifference murder is what we’ve been fighting for,” said Theresa Ratliff, Odin’s mother, after the verdict. “That’s what we got because that is what he is guilty of.”
Barlow is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30. He could face a prison term ranging from 15 years to life.