IN THE

2ND DISTRICT COURT - FARMINGTON

COUNTY OF DAVIS, STATE OF UTAH

State of Utah

vs.
Affidavit of Probable Cause
MICHAEL RAY MENDOZA
Date of Birth: 11/06/1986
Arrestee

On 01/01/2019 16:00 the defendant was arrested for the offense(s) of:

Offense Date Offense Description Statute Gov Code Severity DV

1 01/01/2019 MURDER 76-5-203 UT F2 No

I believe there is probable cause to charge the defendant with these charges because:
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE

At approximately 0530 hours on 1/1/19, Layton City Police received a reported hit and run car accident
(approximately 90 N. Main Street in Layton City). The suspect vehicle was located a short distance away,
crashed and abandoned in a parking lot near Gentile Street and Main Street in Layton City. The vehicle was
described as a 2007 gray Ford Fusion, UT 2A7BV, registered to a Victor Mendoza at 3783 W 3240 S, in West
Valley City, Utah. There was a large amount of blood found and observed on the outside of the vehicle on the
right rear quarter panel.
A short time later at approximately 0544 hours, Layton City Police received a reported stabbing where the adult
male victim was at the Davis Hospital Emergency Room. It was reported the stabbing victim drove himself to the
hospital. While patrol officers were responding to the Davis Hospital Emergency Room, officers located an
intoxicated male walking near where the abandoned suspect vehicle of the hit and run accident was found. The
male was later identified as Michael Ray Mendoza (11/6/86) with the same address as the registered owner of
the suspect vehicle (3783 W 3240 S, in West Valley City, Utah).
A search by patrol officers of Mendoza’s person yielded a bloody knife. Mendoza had a large amount of blood on
his arm that did not appear to be from him. Inside of Mendoza’s pants pockets was also blood. Mendoza was
transported to the Davis Hospital to be treated for injuries he sustained from the car accident. The victim in the
stabbing was flown by AirMed to the University of Utah Hospital in critical condition. Upon first contact with
Officers, Michael told them he had been in a fight and someone had stolen his car.
Through further investigation, it was learned that Mendoza was hanging out with Christopher Maw, Keylee Maw,
Tyler Barrow, and Brittani Barrow, earlier in the evening at the Maw’s residence (16 Grover Street, Layton City),
celebrating New Years Eve. It was reported that earlier in the evening Mendoza threatened Kaylee with a
“blade” for being disrespectful. It was reported that Mendoza and Christopher Maw had a close relationship with
each other prior to this incident. It was learned that at some point during the evening, Mendoza was arguing
with Christopher Maw. It was also learned that there was evidence of blood found outside the Maw residence.
I spoke with Samantha Webb who was at the Davis Hospital with Keylee Maw. Samantha stated her and Jordon
Webb arrived at Christopher’s residence around 0200 hours on 01/01/19 and they both left around 0400 hours.
Samantha stated that while she was there, she could hear Michael yelling at Christopher and that it didn’t sound
like a friendly conversation. She further described Michael as yelling at Christopher and Jordan in Spanish. I
also spoke with Keylee who reported that the reason she left around Midnight was due to Michael yelling at her
that she disrespected him and he would show her his “blade”. Keylee stated she was afraid so she called a
friend to come get her, and awoke later in the early morning to phone calls stating her husband had been
stabbed.
I arrived to the U of U and met with Christopher. Christopher was in critical but stable condition. Christopher
suffered a stab wound to his chest and his left ribcage. There were visible superficial cuts under this chin on his
neck. I asked Christopher who stabbed him and he responded “Michael Mendoza”. During the interview with
Christopher he stated he and Michael were arguing about something but didn’t remember what the argument
was about. He reports they walked together towards a Maverik. Christopher reported calling out to Michael “its
gunna be like that bro”, and Michael turned towards him, produced a silver bladed knife, and stabbed him.
Christopher states Michael had the blade under his chin and at some point Christopher was able to get away, go
to his car, and drive to the hospital. Christopher was unsure if Michael walked him to his car or if he walked by
himself.

After departing the hospital I interviewed Michael. Post Miranda Warning he agreed to speak with me. Michael
reported arriving at Christopher’s residence around 2000 hours. He states he showed Christopher his new knife,
but didn’t remember threatening Keylee with it around midnight. Michael reports Keylee had left just after
midnight and remembered Jordon Webb and Samantha Webb arriving later in the night but stated there was
never any arguing between anyone. Michael states shortly after Jordan and Samantha arriving he doesn’t
remember anything after. Michael reports not remembering the conversation he initially had with Officers about
being in a fight and someone stealing his car. Michael also stated that his knife would likely be in his pocket, as
that was the last place he left it. During the interview with Michael he states never verbally arguing or yelling at
anyone during the party.
In summary, there is probable cause to believe that while Michael and Christopher were walking away from
Christopher residence, Michael produced a knife and stabbed Christopher twice in the chest and held the blade
of the knife to Christopher’s throat. There was a substantial risk of Christopher’s death with the targeted stab
wounds he sustained to the chest to include the laceration to his liver and puncture to his lungs. At the time of
this writing, Christopher is alive in critical but stable condition.

Officer Name: MICHAEL DAMICO Badge ID: 149

I am a sworn officer with: UT0060300 - LAYTON PD
Arresting agency case number: 19-00008 Associated citation number:

I declare under penalty of perjury and under the laws of the State of Utah that the foregoing is true and correct.
/s/ MICHAEL DAMICO

SUBMISSION IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

Booking agency: DAVIS COUNTY SO Booking agency ORI: UT0060000
Booking agency case number: 201900016 SID: 662399 OTN: 55449474
Booking UserID: jeffersb Booking date/time: 01/01/2019 23:10 Submission ID: 426631 (Version 1)