Syracuse resident alleges assassination of Chase Allen, requests records and threatens suit during public comment

DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — During the public-comment period at the Davis County Commission’s May 6 meeting, James English of Syracuse, who identified himself as the “Utah Defender,” urged county officials to reopen or review the circumstances surrounding the death of Chase Allen and pressed county staff on records requests.

English told commissioners he brought a USB drive containing a two-hour, 26-minute video that he said “proves unequivocally that Chase Allen was assassinated.” He asked how officials would view the video and said the common response is that it might contain a virus; he offered to approach staff to explain directions to access the file. “I have a 2 hour and 26 minute video that proves unequivocally that Chase Allen was assassinated,” English said during public comment.

English said he had filed multiple public-records requests through the clerk’s office (he characterized them as “seven GRAMA requests”) and that four were forwarded to Davis County Attorney Troy Rollins; he said he had not received the records he requested. He asked for an internal-affairs investigation file related to Allen’s death and asked that the district attorney or county attorney “open that up” for review. “When I looked at that video, I could tell that Chase Allen was assassinated, not murdered,” English said, later adding he would pursue legal action if officials did not respond. He said he had attorneys ready and stated he would sue for $40,000,000, and that he himself had been arrested previously and intended to pursue legal remedies.

The remarks occurred during the meeting’s public-comment period; no county action was taken on the statements or on English’s requests during the meeting. County staff present noted public comment rules (three minutes per speaker) and asked for the speaker’s name for the minutes. English identified himself as James English of Syracuse.

What was requested and claimed - Records and inquiries: English said he submitted seven public-records requests through the clerk’s office, four of which he said were forwarded to County Attorney Troy Rollins. - Internal affairs: English requested an internal-affairs investigation file related to Chase Allen’s death and asked that the district attorney or county attorney open an inquiry. - Evidence offered: English said he brought a USB drive with a two-hour, 26-minute video he described as proof of an assassination. - Legal threat: English said he had attorneys ready and would file legal action if county officials did not respond; he stated a damages figure of $40,000,000 and also said he had been “falsely arrested by the Ogden Police Department.”

Neither the commission nor staff made any statement during the meeting indicating they would open a new investigation or accept the video into the county record at that time. The county clerk’s office and the county attorney’s office were referenced in English’s remarks; County Attorney Troy Rollins was not present but was mentioned by name in the speaker’s requests.

No formal action The commission did not take formal action in response to English’s comments at the meeting. Public-comment remarks do not themselves trigger county investigations or records releases without follow-up by the clerk’s office, the county attorney or other responsible departments.

Speakers and attribution All direct quotes and claims in this article are attributed to James English as stated in the public-comment period. Statements about GRAMA requests, forwarded records, the identity of the county attorney and other procedural details reflect what English said in the meeting; they were not confirmed by county staff during the meeting.