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HEBER CITY — A judge has determined that a Utah prison inmate accused of trying to hire someone to beat her ex-boyfriend and kidnap his children is competent to stand trial.
Judge Roger Griffin ruled Wednesday that Sheila Marie Golding is able to understand the nature of the charges against her and assist in her own defense based on the findings in a pair of competency evaluations.
Golding, 41, was already serving time in March 2014 for stalking her ex-boyfriend and stealing his identity when she hatched a plan to go after the man and his kids, according to charging documents.
The alleged plot was detailed in letters Golding sent from inside the Wasatch County Jail — where she was being housed under a contract with the Utah Department of Corrections — to former inmates and other acquaintances, the charges state.
Golding also approached inmates inside the jail about finding "a white supremacist or a gang member that could help her out," investigators said. Detectives interviewed four women who had served time with Golding and said they confirmed Golding was looking for someone who would carry out the kidnapping and assault.
Court records show the man Golding allegedly wanted beaten is the victim in a felony stalking case pending against Golding in Utah County. In that case, Orem police said Golding's ex-boyfriend caught Golding's brother and another person shooting video of his house in July 2013.
The pair told officers they were there at Golding's request, court records state, despite a stalking injunction that ordered Golding not to have any direct or indirect contact with her ex-boyfriend.
Wasatch County prosecutors have charged Golding with solicitation to commit kidnapping, a first-degree felony, and solicitation to commit assault, a class A misdemeanor. She is due back in court May 12.
