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(KSL News) Several high profile cases are headed to court today, some for long-awaited sentencing decisions.
The woman accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart is expected to be in court this morning.
A unique hearing will be held today to decide if 59-year-old Wanda Barzee should be forcibly medicated in an attempt to restore her competency for trial. It's believed to be the first such hearing in Utah.
Barzee was ruled incompetent to stand trial back in 2004. Since then doctors at the Utah State Hospital say they've tried all other methods to restore Barzee's competency except medication, which she refuses to take.
A judge will hear testimony from experts today and weigh several factors. The hearing is set to begin at nine a-m before Judge Judith Atherton.
Barzee's co-defendant, Brian David Mitchell, is also at the state hospital after being ruled incompetent to stand trial last year.
A teacher who confessed to sexually assaulting one of his students will receive his punishment today.
Roger Wilkins pleaded guilty in November to attempted forcible sexual abuse. As part of a plea deal, he will face no more than a year in jail.
Wilkins was an American Sign Language professor at Salt Lake Community College. One of his deaf students says he raped her.
And a Centerville man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 12-year-old girl, last summer, will be sentenced.
Damon Victor Crist admitted he forced the girl into the back of his truck. She fought back, screaming and hitting until Crist let her go.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
