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SALT LAKE CITY — A seven-day preliminary hearing for a teenager accused of killing 15-year-old Anne Kasprzak has been set for March 2.
On Thursday, prosecutors and defense attorneys for the 17-year-old boy, who was 14 when he allegedly committed the crime in 2012, agreed they need time to prepare and review reports.
The teen, who is accused of beating Kasprzak to death and dumping her body in the Jordan River, is charged in 3rd District Juvenile Court with murder, a first-degree felony, and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. The two had dated. Prosecutors are attempting to have him certified to stand trial as an adult.
The teen, whom KSL has chosen not to name at this time, sat quietly during the brief court hearing Thursday, listening to the proceedings. His father and sister sat behind him while the court called his mother in Colorado to listen to the proceedings over the phone.
Veronica Kasprzak, the victim's mother, sat on the front row behind the prosecution. Both families declined comment.
Last month, Judge Dane Nolan ordered the teen to undergo a psychiatric evaluation as part of the adult certification process. The 17-year-old, who had been attending Grand Junction High School in Colorado until his arrest, is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility in South Salt Lake.
A scheduling hearing was set for Dec. 15. Attorneys for both sides originally thought they would need three to four days for the combined preliminary hearing and certification hearing. Nolan set it, however, for seven days starting March 2.
