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SALT LAKE CITY -- The man accused of beating his neighbor to death made his first appearance in court on Friday.
Martin Vuksinick, 18, appeared in 3rd District Court via video from the Salt Lake County Jail. During the brief appearance, Vuksinick stared straight ahead into the camera as the judge asked him cursory questions such as his name and date of birth.
A publicly appointed defense attorney waived a formal reading of the charges of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and obstruction of justice. Bail was set at $1 million and another hearing was scheduled for June 15.
Vuksinick is charged in the death of Kimberly Hain, a 33-year-old mother of two. He is accused of sneaking into her house on May 22, intending to steal something, when he was confronted by Hain.
Prosecutors claimed in charging documents that Vuksinick beat her to death with his hands and a baseball bat.
Her body was discovered in her bedroom by her 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter.
Salt Lake County prosecutors have not decided if they will pursue the death penalty in the case.
E-mail: bwinslow@ksl.com
