Utah judge sends ‘incredibly dangerous’ woman to prison for conspiring to kill son-in-law

Published at 1:32 pm, June 10, 2026

Emily Ashcraft, KSL

Tracy Grist, 61, is questioned by her attorney, Dana Facemyer, during her jury trial for the murder of her son-in-law, in the Provo 4th District Courthouse, April 2026. | Paola Montenegro, CourtTV, pool

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PROVO, Utah (KSL) — An American Fork woman was given consecutive prison sentences on Wednesday for murdering and conspiring to murder her son-in-law, who was shot and killed by her son moments after arriving at her home.

Tracey Grist, 61, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for murder, a first-degree felony; two terms of one to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder and obstruction of justice, second-degree felonies; and two terms of zero to five years in prison for two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, a third-degree felony.

Fourth District Judge Roger Griffin ordered the sentences to run consecutively, imposing the maximum possible sentence, citing “grave concerns” that she would harm people who testified against her for “equally baseless reasons.” He said he anticipates she will not be released from prison while alive.

“In the court’s view, you’re incredibly dangerous and your character and actions show that any rehabilitative needs are overcome by your willingness to kill, simply for you or your children’s convenience,” he said.

According to Griffin, this was “one of the most senseless crimes” he has seen while an attorney or a judge. He said that as a grandmother, she is supposed to protect her grandchildren, and called it “incomprehensible’ that she did not counsel her daughter to get a divorce instead of assisting in her son-in-law’s murder.

“The gravity of your actions cannot be overstated. You were clearly the mastermind in a plot that led to your son-in-law’s death, a man who simply thought he was coming to Utah to pick up his wife and children,” the judge told Grist.

Deputy Utah County attorney Adam Pomeroy argued during her trial that Grist was the “hub” and “mission control” for the conspiracy.

Although her son, Kevin Ellis, pulled the trigger, “Grist killed Matthew Restelli,” he told jurors.

Evidence presented at trial showed Grist’s family members were tracking Restelli as he drove from his home in California to Utah to bring his wife and children home.

On the evening of July 12, 2024, Grist called 911 minutes after her neighbor to report that Restelli had been shot in her home. Ellis claimed he fired the gun in self-defense, but officers testified the knife found in Ellis’ hand appeared to be placed backward, and that his wrist had been shot.

Grist testified at her own trial and denied that she was part of any “murder plan.” She said she cleaned her house “because it was a disaster,” not in preparation for blood spatter as her daughter’s testimony implied.

Addressing Kate Restelli’s testimony about Grist’s central role in the conspiracy, Grist’s attorney Dana Facemyer said she testified to the state’s narrative — a “crazy” and “ridiculous plan.” He said Kate Restelli agreed with the state’s narrative to shorten her own prison sentence, not because it was true.

The attorney emphasized that Kevin Ellis killed Matthew Restelli, shooting him seven times, which has not been disputed.

Fourth District Judge Roger Griffin sentenced Kathryn Restelli in September to two terms of one to 15 years in prison for a reduced charge of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree felonies, and five years to life for felony discharge of a firearm, a first-degree felony.

She pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal that reduced the murder charge from a first-degree felony and agreed to testify as part of that deal at the trials for Ellis and Grist.

Ellis was found guilty of murder during his trial, but not guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. He was sentenced on March 31 to a term of 15 years to life in prison for murder, a first-degree felony; one to 15 years for obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; and two terms of zero to five years for domestic violence in the presence of a child, a third-degree felony. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.

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