WEST POINT, Utah - A 15-year-old accused of stabbing his two brothers to death made an appearance in juvenile court Friday and now has a court-appointed lawyer.
It's the latest development in a crime that has stunned the small town of West Point. It's unclear what statements the teen made before a juvenile judge but the case has moved forward quickly.
Davis County investigators say they've turned over the case over to the county attorney who will now decide whether to charge a 15-year-old for allegedly stabbing his two younger brothers to death. The charges could come as soon as Tuesday, according to Davis County investigators.
Aaron Martin occasionally played with the suspect and is still trying to come to grips with the loss.
"I knew at school that day. I broke down at school that day," said Martin
Cops say the 15-year-old had blood on his clothes after allegedly murdering his brothers, 4-year-old Ben and 10-year-old Alex. The suspect was one of the family's biological children, the victims were adopted.
"You know he got along with everybody. He wasn't a big talker but I don't think he was so introverted. He didn't involve the other kids. They always played together," said next door neighbor Monica Hall.
If there was tension in the family, neighbors say they didn't see it and the suspect has been described as a model student.
"He was a good kid, their family had great values, he just snapped," said Hall.
Police say the crime was not premeditated. They have an idea of a motive but aren't saying.
With the Davis County Attorney potentially screening charges early next week, "it's up to the judge to determine if he's tried as an adult because he's under the age of 16," said Salt Lake defense attorney Clayton Simms, who's not connected to the West Point case but has defended juvenile suspects.
"Even if he goes to adult court, he can't be given the death penalty," added Simms "The U.S. Supreme Court has said juveniles are not eligible for the death penalty."
The teen's father, who's in the Air Force and stationed in Alabama, has returned to Utah but the family is not making any statements and it's unclear when a funeral will be held.
Related story:
Sheriff: West Point boys stabbed to death, brother in custody
West Point community shocked by stabbing deaths of two boys
