Judge denies Gledhill permission to talk to her children

SALT LAKE CITY – Jennifer Gledhill appeared in court again Friday, seeking permission to speak to her young children while she is behind bars for allegedly killing her husband.

During the hearing, Gledhill’s attorney argued that the issued preliminary protective order, which bars her from communicating with the children, was “improperly placed and authorized.”

The lawyer said that because the children are not victims of the case or of any other domestic violence, they should have contact with Gledhill.

Gledhill’s children, ages 11, 7 and 5, have been in the custody of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services since their mother was arrested in the death of Matthew Johnson.

On Thursday, Gledhill’s parents have both been taken into custody and are facing multiple obstruction of justice charges for allegedly helping their daughter clean out the bedroom where she is accused of shooting Johnson while he slept.

Johnson’s body has not yet been found.

“My client has already lost her freedom at this point,” Gledhill’s lawyer added. “It feels like the state and the city, the police that investigated this, are trying to burn everything my client loves.”

Watch the full video of Jennifer Gledhill’s hearing below:

Full video of Jennifer Gledhill’s hearing on Friday

At the end of the hearing, Judge Adam Mow effectively lifted the interim protective order, but issued a separate restraining order to be entered, meaning Gledhill is still not allowed to communicate with the children.

Mow said that as the case progresses, he would be willing to make exceptions to the restraining order as it affects not only Gledhill, but the children as well.