On July 29, two suspected Juggalos attacked a Kearns teen outside his home with a knife and a four-bladed replica of a medieval battle ax topped with a spiked ball.
The victim suffered life-threatening injuries, including an 8-inch gash to his neck, and required more than 300 stitches to close his wounds.
The two alleged attackers waived their right this week to a preliminary hearing in 3rd District Court.
Cody Jesse Augustine, of West Jordan, and Scott Tyler Stapley, of Murray, both 21, are each charged with one count of first-degree felony attempted murder. Arraignment is set for Oct. 3 before Judge Judith Atherton.
The attempted child kidnapping occurred Saturday evening near 4000 South and 1500 West, where two teens with faces painted like clowns - half smiling, half frowning - tried pulling a 5-year-old boy to a car. Police said one teen threatened to kill the boy.
The pair finally let go of the victim, who ran to his apartment, where his father called police, according to Capt. Tom McLachlan with West Valley City police.
The two suspects - an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old - were found in the area with paint still on their faces. Police said they acknowledged involvement in the incident, but offered no explanation. The 18-year-old was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of an attempted kidnapping, a potential felony, and marijuana possession, a misdemeanor.
McLachlan said it's difficult to define all Juggalos as gang members based on actions from a minor subset, adding that he has been told that Juggalos' music generally encourages them to examine their lives and better themselves.
But he said West Valley's selective enforcement unit is "very aware" of the Juggalos - both those who cause problems and those who do not.
McLachlan said members usually do not walk around with painted faces unless they are involved in some sort of group activity or going to a concert. Some, he said, have tattoos, wear jewelry or sport bumper stickers portraying a little red man running with a hatchet in hand.
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* MELINDA ROGERS contributed to this report.
Who are the Juggalos?
Juggalos are enthusiasts of the rap group Insane Clown Posse, but police say it can be difficult to define the movement. The Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit officially calls the group a gang and estimates there are as many as 4,000 Juggalos in Utah. Capt. Tom McLachlan with West Valley City police clarified that only about 15 percent of the group are involved in gang activity.
