Logan • A Utah man who authorities say vandalized a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple will receive a competency evaluation before his case moves forward, a defense attorney said.
Defense attorney Mike McGinnis said he and his 34-year-old client were not prepared to move forward with the hearing and requested an evaluation, The Herald Journal reported Monday.
It is unclear when the evaluation is scheduled.
The Smithfield man is charged with aggravated burglary and is accused of breaking in and vandalizing the Logan Temple, causing about $5,000 in damage, including broken glass, a discharged fire extinguisher and an ax in a wall, prosecutors said.
The suspect told officers he was upset he could not see his children during the Christmas holiday, authorities said, and that no church women wanted to date him.
Officers initially could not find a suspect but said police later found him in a locked room at the temple, authorities said.
The suspect asked Judge Thomas Willmore on Monday for work release so he could work to make payments toward the damage, but he could not yet be released without a sentence, officials said.
The suspect was initially charged with multiple felonies, including burglary and criminal mischief.