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FARMINGTON -- A judge said he needed more time to appoint new attorneys for the mother and stepfather accused of killing 4-year-old Ethan Stacy.
At a hearing for Stephanie and Nathan Sloop Friday, Judge David Connors delayed the appointment until June 11 so the court could properly complete the Rule 8 process to find attorneys qualified to handle capital murder cases.
The Sloops made a brief appearance in the courtroom with their original attorneys. Whoever takes over their will have to have an open schedule, and they will need a lot of experience in criminal defense.
May 12, 2010 - Documents describe death, burial of boy in Utah
May 13, 2010 - Prosecutors, police tightening up case against Sloops
May 14, 2010 - Sloops make first court appearance; no charges filed
May 15, 2010 - Community gathers to mourn Ethan Stacy
May 18, 2010 - Sloop's attorney reviews possibility of insanity defense, domestic violence
May 18, 2010 - Wake held in Va. for 4-year-old boy killed in Utah
May 19, 2010 - Hundreds gathered to bid final goodbye to Ethan Stacy
May 28, 2010 - Dozens show to see Sloops charged with murder of Ethan Stacy
Legal analyst Marguerite Driessen says if the current defense attorneys are only asking for another week to finish this process, that could mean they're close to finding someone.
Davis County prosecutors formally charged Nathan and Stephanie Sloop May 28 in 2nd District Court with aggravated murder, child abuse, obstruction of justice and desecration of a body.
Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings told the judge he plans to seek the death penalty.
Charging documents claim both Sloops abused Ethan for days, inflicting serious injuries. Prosecutors claim it was that abuse that ultimately led to Ethan's death.
His body was uncovered May 11 near Powder Mountain after Layton police say the Sloops reported him missing the night before. He had just been in Utah for 10 days with his mom, who had summer visitation.
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Story compiled with contributions from Jennifer Stagg and Paul Nelson.
