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SALT LAKE CITY — Attorneys for a Utah teen accused of shooting and killing two Hunter High classmates and injuring another entered denials to the charges against him during a Thursday court hearing.
The 14-year-old, whom KSL.com has opted not to name at this time, was charged in January with two counts of murder and discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; illegal discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice, second-degree felonies; possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of a handgun by a minor, a class B misdemeanor.
During a brief hearing held over a video call on Thursday, defense attorneys for the teen entered denials to all charges filed against the boy. In Utah's juvenile justice system, those accused can either admit or deny the charges against them, similar to how someone charged in the adult system can either plead guilty or not guilty.
The teen is accused of shooting and killing Paul Tahi, 15, and Tivani Lopati, 14, during a confrontation of Hunter High School students near the school in West Valley City on Jan. 13. Ephraim Asiata, 15, was critically injured during the shooting but was released weeks later from the hospital. The 14-year-old allegedly told police he and his friend were being harassed by the other group of boys prior to the shooting. Charging documents allege the shooting took place after two fights took place near the school.
During a court hearing days after his arrest, the boy told 3rd District Juvenile Judge Mark May, "I'm a good kid, I really am," before the judge cut him off and advised him not to say anything else without an attorney.
The teen, who was in attendance for the hearing Thursday, will continue to be held in a juvenile detention center. His next hearing is scheduled to be a pretrial conference in May.
