This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
State officials have been granted extra time to work on competency issues with a now-17-year-old West Valley City boy accused in the sexual assault and killing of his 12-year-old neighbor.
In December, a juvenile court judge found that the boy was not competent to stand trial on charges of aggravated murder and rape of a child in the July 2015 death of Kailey Vijil. Since then, the Department of Human Services has worked with the teen to establish competency, including courses aimed to help him understand and appreciate the charges filed against him and aiding in his defense.
At a review hearing Thursday, attorneys reported that while the teen boy is gaining a better factual understanding, there are still some issues with his "rational" understanding. Third District Juvenile Court Judge James Michie allowed for another 30 days of treatment before a final evaluation is done, but warned attorneys that he did not want any further delays.
"It's been two years," the judge said. "I'm putting pressure on. I want those evaluations done. There are a lot of people, including [the teen], a lot of family members that need resolution to this matter. This has been going on for two years and it needs resolution."
Prosecutors have said they want the boy to face the charges in adult court. Michie can't rule on that, however, until the boy is competent and another hearing is held where the judge will assess the case evidence and consider the severity of the alleged crimes, community safety, the teen's psychological records, family history and rehabilitation needs.
Vijil was found dead about 1:30 a.m. on July 17, 2015, in an overgrown horse pasture near 3600 South and 5200 West, about a half-mile from her family's home.
Police say the boy lured Vijil from her home just before midnight on July 16, claiming he needed help looking for a lost cat.
Officers found Vijil "lying in the field with a shirt wrapped around her neck," charges state. A medical examiner later determined the girl died from strangulation.
Court documents say a medical examiner also found the girl had been sexually assaulted and that DNA found on her body matched DNA samples from the defendant, who was 16 years old at the time of Vijil's death.
The boy has been held in a juvenile detention facility since then. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not identify juvenile defendants unless they have been certified to stand trial in adult court.
The teen will be back in court again on Sept. 7 for a scheduling conference.