SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – August 27, 2015 – Gephardt Daily – The juvenile suspect in the murder of 12-year-old West Valley City girl, Kailey Vijil, has now been charged with first degree rape of a child, in addition to first degree aggravated homicide.
The newest charge was announced Thursday afternoon in 3rd District Juvenile Court, during a scheduled hearing, by presiding Judge James Michie.
Michie explained the severity of the new charge to the young defendant, reminding him it was merely allegation. When asked if he understood the charges, the teen, who entered the courtroom shackled in a jailhouse jumpsuit, nodded. When Judge Michie told him to respond verbally, the teen said, “Yes,” in a subdued voice.
Michie also explained to the suspect why he was shackled throughout the proceedings, saying it was warranted by the severity of the accusations.
The decision on whether the 15-year-old will be certified to stand trial as an adult was pushed back to October. If so certified, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Kailey Vijil was killed in the early morning of July 17 after leaving her family’s home in the company of the suspect, after he knocked on the door and asked her to help find his lost cat. Hours later, Vijil’s partially nude body was found by detectives in a horse pasture about a half mile from her house. Investigators say she’d been both strangled and sexually assaulted.
Court appointed attorneys for the suspect offered a glimmer of a possible defense, saying the teen was being evaluated for ADHD and other psychological disorders.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
