Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FARMINGTON -- The preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing 4-year-old Ethan Stacy, which was slated for next week, has been continued amid "evidentiary issues."
Nathan Sloop, 32, was scheduled to have a three-day hearing in which prosecutors would present the evidence they have against the man beginning Feb. 1. But attorneys told 2nd District Judge Michael Allphin Friday that they need more time.
"Both the state and Mr. Sloop have encountered some legal issues that need to be resolved prior to a preliminary hearing being held," Allphin said.
Sloop and his wife, Stephanie, are facing capital murder charges in addition to charges of child abuse and obstructing justice, both second-degree felonies, and abuse or desecration of a body, a third-degree felony.
The couple is accused of killing Stephanie Sloop's son and burying his body near Powder Mountain in Weber County on or around Mother's Day. Court documents list "severe abuse" as the cause of death.
Investigators say Ethan was abused between April 29 and May 8.
After the boy was killed, the Sloops took his body to a rural area in the mountains and buried him in a shallow grave, police say. Police documents indicate the couple attempted to disfigure his body with a hammer to make it harder for police to identify him.
Nathan Sloop sat attentively and responded quickly and politely when addressed by the judge, waiving his right to a speedy trial. A new court date was set for June 27, when a new preliminary hearing date will be scheduled. Sloop's attorney, Richard Mauro, said there are "evidentiary issues that need to be addressed," but declined to go into specifics.
"The issue will be the evidence's admissibility," Mauro said.
He said more information will be made available through court documents he plans to file in the coming weeks. He said it would be "premature" to discuss issues such as whether Sloop will be offered a plea deal or whether there may be fair trial questions.
In the meantime, Mauro said his client is doing "fine."
Stephanie Sloop is anticipated to have a similar hearing Jan. 31.
------
Story written by Emiley Morgan with contributions from Andrew Adams.
