A Toquerville teen charged as an adult in the shooting death of a neighbor woman last year has been found competent to stand trial following seven months of treatment at the Utah State Hospital.
Joshua David Canfield, now 19, is accused of killing 58-year-old Geraldine Bommarito on March 18 or 19, 2014, when Canfield was still 17 years old.
In May, Canfield was sent to the Utah State Hospital for treatment.
On Tuesday, 5th District Judge John Walton ordered the case to proceed after Canfield's defense attorney stipulated to findings by mental health experts that the defendant was now competent.
Canfield was charged as an adult with first-degree felony counts of murder and aggravated robbery, one count of second-degree felony arson, three counts of second-degree felony theft, one charge of second-degree felony obstruction of justice, along with third-degree felony charges of aggravated assault and possession or use of a controlled substance. He was also charged with misdemeanor theft and two counts of assaulting a police officer.
Washington County sheriff's deputies found Bommarito's body on March 19 while investigating an unrelated burglary at a Toquerville home, where two firearms and collectible coins were taken that morning.
While investigating the burglary, deputies identified the teen — who was Bommarito's neighbor — as a possible suspect. Earlier on March 19, the teen was seen at a convenience store in Washington City, where he made a purchase using coins consistent with those taken in the burglary, according to charging documents.
Witnesses provided a vehicle description and license plate number for the vehicle driven by the suspect, which investigators traced back to Bommarito, the registered owner. When investigators went to the residence listed on the vehicle registration, they discovered the body of the woman, who had been shot at least once.
On the afternoon of March 19, detectives located Canfield in Springdale and took him into custody.
According to a probable cause statement, the teen was "belligerent and combative" with arresting officers. He was not booked into jail until three days later because he was receiving treatment at a medical facility, according to court records.
Canfield was in possession of two firearms that were consistent with evidence at the scene of the homicide, according to the probable cause statement.
Deputies also found a burned car in a remote area of Springdale which they believed was Bommarito's. The vehicle was thoroughly burned and the license plate was no longer legible, according to police.
Neighbors have described Bommarito as a nice woman who ran a home cosmetics business and volunteered at nearby Zion National Park.
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible