Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Nearly three years after their son was shot and killed in Virginia, the parents of a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went to court for the trial of the man accused of murdering him.
The case has gone through several delays, but the missionaries' parents are now getting their day in court.
You may recall that 21-year-old Morgan Young was shot and killed in Chesapeake, Va., in January of 2006.
Young and his missionary companion, Joshua Heidbrink of Greeley, Colo., were going door to door in Chesapeake when police say they witnessed a crime and were shot. Young was killed; Heidbrink survived, but was injured.
James Ricky Boughton Jr. was in court this week facing murder charges, after a number of delays over the past few years in case.
"[It's] been almost three [years], but we're very grateful that it's beginning," said Morgan's father, Mark Young.
Boughton's attorney asked for a continuance after learning of a new witness prior to the beginning of jury selection. The judge had a heated exchange with the attorney before deciding to proceed for now.
Boughton listened as the clerk read six indictments against him. His "not guilty" pleas were heard by more than 60 potential jurors sitting in the courtroom. For hours, they fielded dozens of questions from both attorneys.
Morgan Young, described by his family as having a keen sense of humor, was an Eagle Scout and graduated of Bountiful High School. He completed a year at Weber State University prior to his mission.
Jury selection begins tomorrow. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
