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PROVO — A Spanish Fork man accused of murder after investigators say he helped a teenager take her own life is competent to proceed to trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Attorneys for Tyerell Przybycien, 18, requested last month that the Spanish Fork man be evaluated to determine whether he is legally capable of facing the charges against him in court.
After two evaluations recommended that Przybycien is competent to proceed, 4th District Judge James Brady ordered that the case move forward, according to prosecutor Chad Grunander.
Przybycien has been ordered to stand trial on charges of murder, a first-degree felony, and desecration of a human body, a class B misdemeanor, in the death of 16-year-old Jchandra Brown last May.
Prosecutors argued in a preliminary hearing last year that while Brown had sought to take her own life, Przybycien was responsible for the girl's death because he bought her a rope and other items used in the suicide, drove her to a remote site in Payson Canyon, tied the noose for her and recorded her death on a cellphone.
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Reasons to Hope: Suicide is Utah’s most preventable tragedy
For decades, suicide has been one of Utah's top killers. Now, survivors and experts alike explain why there are reasons to hope.Przybycien's attorneys maintain that Brown was knowingly responsible for her own death and that Przybycien's actions don't fit the requirements for a murder charge.
Przybycien is next due in court March 27.
Przybycien is also charged in a separate case with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony. In that case, police who obtained a warrant to search Przybycien's phone after Brown's death, reported finding child pornography. The case remains on hold while the murder charge is adjudicated.
The Utah Department of Health offers suicide prevention help at utahsuicideprevention.org/suicide-prevention-basic. The national crisis hotline is 1-800-784-2433.
Warning signs of suicide
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.What to do if you see warning signs of suicide
- Do not leave the person alone
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
- Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
Crisis Hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226-4433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsputah.com
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
#suicide_prevention
