Ryan Bate, 33, accused of killing two Tremonton-Garland police officers in 2025, has received new trial dates. Bate faces two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Officer Eric Estrada and Sgt. Lee Sorensen, who were shot and killed on August 17, 2025. The incident occurred while the officers were responding to a domestic disturbance at Bate’s home. Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty on both counts.
A jury trial is scheduled to begin on May 15, 2028, and is expected to continue through August 4, 2028, lasting approximately two and a half months, according to a court schedule announced Tuesday. Before the trial, Bate is set to appear in court on January 22, 2027, for a pretrial scheduling conference. Bate has remained in custody at the Weber County Jail since the shootings and is being held without bail. He is also accused of injuring Deputy Mike Allred and his K-9 service dog, Azula, during the same incident.
Judge Spencer Walsh previously appointed attorneys Jonathan Nish and Mary Corporon to represent Bate in the capital case. Blair Wardle, a prosecutor for the State of Utah, is representing the state.
The 2025 shootings deeply impacted the Tremonton and Garland communities. Just days after the officers' deaths, a vigil was held at the Tremonton Civic Center to honor Sgt. Sorensen and Officer Estrada. Residents filled the center’s front lawn, tied blue ribbons around trees, and observed a public moment of silence. Detective Brent Jex, who attended the vigil, reflected on the significant loss for a small department, stating that they lost "10 percent of our department" that night. Community member Kelly Wood emphasized the ongoing sacrifices police officers make. Wood expressed hope that the community could gain strength and improve. Jandee Canfield, another community member, found healing in coming together, noting the support, love, and unity present among attendees.
Bate has a history of domestic violence dating back to 2019 and was charged twice before with domestic violence-related assaults. Prior to the officers' deaths, officials in court hearings discussed the risks associated with his past behavior. Kimmi Wolf, who serves as the Community Engagement Specialist at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, stressed the importance of holding abusers accountable. Wolf stated that partners want the abuse to end and urged a shift from asking victims why they stay to asking abusers why they abuse. She also acknowledged the challenges victims face and expressed sympathy for those affected, hoping that systems could improve for future cases.
Trial preparations will continue over the next few years, with Bate remaining in custody until his jury trial begins in May 2028.
