Later that day, Shurtleff said in a formal statement: "In the interest of justice and mercy, the time has come to bring closure to Debra Brown and everyone involved in this case. She has served 17 years in prison, and a judge has found her factually innocent. This was Utah's first case like this, and I am convinced these types of challenges will be rare. Our office will vigilantly fight to make sure the justice system punishes the guilty and protects the innocent."