Judge Rules Against Gabby Petito Family in Moab Police Lawsuit

Gabby Petito was strangled by her then boyfriend Brian Laundrie while the pair were on a cross-country van trip. The FBI report states that Laundrie confesses to the murder in a hand written notebook, found near the remains of Laundrie's body after he committed suicide. According to the report, Laundrie tried to cover up Petito's death by using the woman's debit card, and then also sending text messages from her phone, to give the impression that Gabby was still alive. During the trip, a domestic violence episode was caught on Moab police body cam, after a 911 call came in reporting a man slapping a woman.

The footage shows Petito was injured with scratches and bruises. Police determined however that Petito was the aggressor, after she admitted hitting Laundrie. The pair was separated for the night, with no domestic violence counseling.

Petito's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Moab Police Department. Utah's 7th District Court Judge Don Torgerson dismissed the case, citing governmental immunity. Torgerson said he is bound to follow the law as it currently exists and follow rulings of other courts. The Petito's attorney argued to end just the police immunity. He added the Court of Appeals has the authority to determine whether the governmental immunity law is constitutional.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

• Kathleen Murphy - Raleigh, North Carolina, Attorney at TriangleDivorceLawyers.com
• Caryn Stark - Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice
• Lisa Dadio - Former Police Lieutenant, New Haven Police Department, Annie Le Lead Detective, Senior Lecturer, Director of the Center for Advanced Policing and Graduate Program Coordinator, Investigations program, University of New Haven
• Kristy Mazurek - Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter

• Mike Hadsell - President and Founder, Peace River K9 Search and Rescue, Twitter: @K9River, PRSAR.org
• Dale Carson - Criminal Defense Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent, Former Police Officer, Author: "Arrest-Proof Yourself, DaleCarsonLaw.com
• Sheryl McCollum - Forensic Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, ColdCaseCrimes.org, Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Joe Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan"
• Mahsa Saeidi - Investigative Reporter, WFLA-TV (Tampa), Twitter/Instagram: @MahsaWho, Facebook: "WFLAMahsa"
• Dale Carson - High Profile Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent, Former Police Officer, Author: "Arrest-Proof Yourself, DaleCarsonLaw.com
• Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, www.drbethanymarshall.com, New Netflix show: 'Bling Empire' (Beverly Hills)
• Joe Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan"
• Michael Ruiz - Reporter, Fox News Digital, Twitter: @MikeRreports
• Wendy Patrick - California prosecutor, author “Red Flags” www.wendypatrickphd.com 'Today with Dr. Wendy' on KCBQ in San Diego, Twitter: @WendyPatrickPHD
• Dr. Angela Arnold - Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA www.angelaarnoldmd.com, Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospita
• Sheryl McCollum - Forensic Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, ColdCaseCrimes.org, Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Joe Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan"
• Mahsa Saeidi - Investigative Reporter, WFLA-TV (Tampa), Twitter/Instagram: @MahsaWho, Facebook: "WFLAMahsa"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.