Life Insurance in Limbo as Cottonwood Heights Murder Case Moves Toward Trial
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — A new question has emerged in the case of Jennifer Gledhill, the Cottonwood Heights woman accused of killing her husband: what happens to his life insurance payout?
Gledhill is the named beneficiary of a $500,000 Prudential life insurance policy taken out by her husband, Matthew Johnson. With Gledhill facing murder charges and Johnson’s body still missing, Prudential is turning to the court for guidance on who should receive the money.
“They’re saying, ‘We’re just going to give this money to the court and let you all figure it out,'” said attorney David Reymann, who is not involved in the case. “They don’t want any part of that fight.”
According to court documents, Prudential acknowledges that the money must eventually go to someone, either Gledhill or the couple’s minor children, who are not listed as beneficiaries. The company’s concern is paying the wrong party and facing legal consequences later.
“People do this because they don’t want to have to pay twice or three times,” Reymann explained. If the money is paid to Gledhill and she’s later convicted, her children would likely have a legal claim to the funds. On the flip side, if it’s paid to the children and Gledhill is acquitted, she could then sue for the payout.
Until a verdict is reached, Prudential is asking for the money to remain in the court’s possession. “They’re essentially waiting for a decision, whether she’s acquitted, pleads or is convicted,” Reymann said. “Then they’ll come back and say, ‘Here’s what happened.'”
Gledhill’s trial is scheduled to begin in December.
