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OREM — An Orem teen accused of stabbing five classmates will remain in detention while he waits another month for a competency review.
Shackled at his waist, hands and ankles, the 16-year-old boy seemed in good spirits Tuesday as he greeted 4th District Juvenile Judge Douglas Nielsen. The teen had been scheduled to appear in court to address whether he is capable of understanding the charges against him and participating in his own defense.
However, Neilsen explained that attorneys are addressing a "fairly unique legal issue" before the case can proceed. No details about the issue were given in court.
The teen has been in custody since his arrest on Nov. 15 when police say he took steak knives and a bo staff to Mountain View High School intending to kill as many people as possible before taking his life.
Expecting there to be "a lot of blood," the boy dressed in red and went to the boys locker room where he stabbed five classmates at random, charging documents state.
The boy, who stabbed himself in the neck as school staff moved in on him, and the five boys who were injured all survived. Mountain View High School Principal Taran Chun said many credit divine intervention for helping the boys survive, and that all five victims have said they forgive the 16-year-old.
Prior to the incident, school district officials said the teen was a straight-A student and had no prior disciplinary issues. The boy had been home-schooled and enrolled at Mountain View in August, according to the district.
While the judge reviews his status weekly until his next hearing March 15, the teen was ordered Tuesday to remain in juvenile detention.
Related:
Charges: Teen came to school prepared to 'murder people'
Prosecutors say a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing five people at Mountain View High School came to school that morning prepared to "murder people.""He actually is doing quite well in detention. In his unit, I believe, he is actually a leader right now," probation officer Natasha Talcott told the judge.
Talcott noted that the boy has not had any behavioral issues while in custody, participates in programs and gives answers when he is called upon.
After the attack, the boy's parents released a statement apologizing for their son's actions, saying they are at a loss to explain why it happened and that the attack was not racially or ethnically motivated.
The couple, who sat quietly behind their son during the hearing, did not comment as they left the courthouse Tuesday.
The 16-year-old, whom the Deseret News has chosen not to identify at this time, is charged with fives counts of attempted murder, a first-degree felony; failing to stop at the command of a law enforcer, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to assault, a class A misdemeanor.
Prosecutors have not specified whether they intend to pursue certifying the teenager as an adult to face the charges.
