Board Holds Parole Hearing for Convicted Utah Burglar
Colton James Beed seeks parole for his role in the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Mason Hunt.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Accidents
Colton James Beed appeared before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole this week to request release for his involvement in a fatal 2019 home invasion. The family of the victim, Mason Hunt, formally requested that the board deny Beed's petition for parole.
Why it matters
The hearing highlights the ongoing legal fallout from the home invasion that resulted in the death of 26-year-old Mason Hunt. The board must now balance Beed's request for release against the victim's family's desire for continued incarceration.
Beed pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated burglary and is currently serving a minimum five-year prison sentence. While two of his codefendants have already been granted parole, Beed maintains he does not know who shot Mason Hunt.
The players
Colton James Beed
He is a 27-year-old inmate serving a prison sentence for manslaughter and aggravated burglary.
Mason Hunt
He was a 26-year-old victim who died during a 2019 home invasion in Salt Lake City.
Utah Board of Pardons and Parole
This is the state agency responsible for determining whether inmates are granted release from custody.
The details
Beed was one of four individuals charged as adults for the 2019 robbery at a Salt Lake City home, where intruders intended to target a resident for drugs. During the confrontation, Hunt placed an intruder in a headlock before being fatally shot, and Beed recently claimed the shooter remains free.
Timeline
January 12, 2019: Mason Hunt was killed during a home invasion.
October 20, 2026: Colton James Beed appeared before the Board of Pardons.
Legal Context
This parole hearing reflects the multi-year adjudication process common in complex, multi-defendant homicide cases within the Utah judicial system. The outcome will align the treatment of Beed with the precedents already set by the parole decisions for his two codefendants.
Residents in the Salt Lake City area may monitor the board's decision as it marks a final chapter in a high-profile home invasion case. The hearing serves as a reminder for local homeowners regarding community safety and the long-term impact of violent crime.
The takeaway
The case emphasizes the complexities of parole boards determining the rehabilitation of multiple participants in a single violent crime. Victims' families continue to play a critical role in these hearings by presenting formal requests to the board regarding the release of convicted offenders.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal proceedings in the Utah Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
