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LOGAN — Two 16-year-old boys accused of attempting to kill a 14-year-old girl by luring her away and shooting her in the head made their first appearance in court facing the charges as adults Thursday.
Colter Peterson, the alleged gunman, and his friend Jayzon Decker, who prosecutors say first suggested harming the girl, appeared before 1st District Judge Thomas Willmore.
Peterson, who was represented in juvenile court by David Perry, was appointed a new attorney Thursday as the case proceeds, Cache County Attorney James Swink confirmed. He will now be represented by Michael McGinnis.
Willmore denied a request for bail by Decker's attorney, Shannon Demler, who also represented the teen in juvenile court. He may raise the question again as the case is moved before Judge Brian Cannell.
Juvenile Court Judge Angela Fonnesbeck had ordered no bail for both teens as they were transferred to the adult system this week following separate retention hearings.
Peterson's next court appearance will be May 15 before Judge Kevin Allen, while Decker's hearing before Cannell is set for May 16. Both teens remain in custody in the Cache Valley Youth Center as their cases progress.
Peterson and Decker, both Sky View High School students, are charged with attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies, and four counts of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.
According to police, the boys lured Deserae Turner to join them after school on Feb. 16 under the guise of buying a knife, shot her once in the back of the head at close range, stole her belongings and left her in a dry section of a dirty canal in Smithfield.
Peterson told police he became annoyed by Deserae's frequent Snapchat messages, leading his friend Decker to suggest they get rid of her, according to testimony in preliminary hearings in March.
Deserae survived the shooting, but during both retention hearings, her mother testified she has been left with permanent and devastating damage to her health, mobility and quality of life, and now requires constant supervision as she attempts to rebuild her life.
