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FARMINGTON, Utah (AP) -- With 10 homicides, a record, working their way through the court system, some police and prosecutors in Davis County say they're stretched for cash and personnel.
There's no sign of a crime wave. Most victims and their alleged killers knew each other.
Deputy Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings said he'll likely ask county commissioners for more money.
"This is an unprecedented time," he said. "There is a need here."
In Bountiful, investigators have handled three separate slayings within the past year. Layton police have been investigating two homicides.
In Clearfield, police have been investigating the murder of Raechale Elton, a group-home counselor who was stabbed to death. Robert Houston, 17, goes to trial next year.
Clearfield police last week arrested Michael Moll, 18, who is accused of fatally stabbing a man during a fight in the parking lot of a grocery store.
Assistant Clearfield Police Chief Greg Krusi said calling officers can certainly cut into the city's $65,000 overtime budget.
"These things never happen during the time investigators are normally at work. There's a lot of follow up that has to be done," he said.
Davis County prosecutors likely will bear the impact of any budget problems. Preparation for each case is much harder than handling misdemeanors or other felonies.
Prosecutors also have to spend much time sharing evidence with defense attorneys, including photos, autopsy reports, police reports and interviews.
Rawlings said his office recently compiled 1,600 pages of documents for defense lawyers for Walter White, 39, who is charged with the death of Samantha Mikesell, 16.
Expert witnesses are also expensive. One in an upcoming homicide case will cost about $30,000 for publicly paid defense lawyers, Rawlings said.
Information from Deseret Morning News:
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
