Last month, 5th District Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Higbee found probable cause to believe the boy had committed the crimes of murder, rape and aggravated sexual assault, all first-degree felonies.

This week, the judge provisionally appointed a mental health expert to testify on behalf of the boy at the October hearing, according to the St. George Spectrum.

The judge asked for a preliminary report from the expert outlining the intended evaluation and anticipated fees, The Spectrum reported.

The boy was linked to the slaying through the victim's cell phone, which was found near her partially clothed body. Investigators learned the girl's last phone call had come from the boy.

Police testified during last month's probable cause hearing that during questioning, the boy admitted calling Hall and meeting her at the park. When Hall tried to leave the park, the boy said he grabbed her leg and that she fell and called him a "bastard," according to police.

Angered, the boy got the girl in headlock, clamped his hand over her mouth and raped her, according to police testimony.

If the boy remains in the juvenile court system, he can be held only until he is 21.

If the case is tried in adult court, convictions could result in prison terms of up to life. - Stephen Hunt