PROVO, Utah -- A judge has ordered a 17-year-old girl to face trial for the murder of a Utah County Sheriff's deputy.
At the end of a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Fourth District Court Judge Darold McDade ruled there was enough evidence to make Meagan Grunwald stand trial for a dozen charges, including aggravated murder and attempted murder.
Grunwald showed no emotion.
"She's traumatized by it," her lawyer, Dean Zabriskie, told reporters outside of court. "Again, she's only 17 years old."
Grunwald is charged in connection with the death of Sgt. Cory Wride, the wounding of deputy Greg Sherwood and shooting at several other officers during a high speed chase that stretched from Eagle Mountain to Nephi earlier this year.
Prosecutors allege her boyfriend, 27-year-old Jose Angel Garcia-Jauregui, shot the officers. But Grunwald faces the charges as an accomplice, deputy Utah County Attorney Sam Pead said.
Prosecutors say they have overwhelming evidence to show Grunwald was behind the wheel and aided Garcia-Jauregui by carjacking an SUV and evading police. Garcia-Jauregui was shot and killed by officers.
Testimony at the preliminary hearing revealed that methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was found in Grunwald's bedroom. Grunwald’s defense said she was not a willing participant and revealed what they believe happened during the case.
"She was forced to do it," Zabriskie said. "There will be testimony offered if this goes to trial that the gun was turned on her on more than one occasion. Her choices were reduced to comply or give up her own life and things spun out of control."
Zabriskie said Grunwald would testify in her own defense, if they went to trial. Even though Judge McDade bound Grunwald over, both prosecutors and defense said they would entertain the possibility of a plea deal. Grunwald is scheduled to be arraigned on May 12.
Outside court, Wride's family said they were hopeful justice would be served.
"A lot of times, actions speak louder than words and we all make decisions and there's consequences to those decisions," said Johnny Revill, Sgt. Wride's brother-in-law.
