SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The former Miss Riverton made an initial appearance in court Thursday morning on four felony charges of recklessness with an incendiary device.
Kendra Gill, 18, and three of her friends are accused of tossing homemade bombs into driveways in Riverton. According to police, they made the devices with items purchased from a local Walmart store.
The four teens are also accused of throwing the homemade bombs at people, but according to charging documents, the teens claimed it was all a prank aimed at scaring some of their friends.
Thursday's hearing was brief, and the suspects said nothing as their attorneys and prosecutors agreed to continue proceedings for about a month.
Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney, reviewed the case and filed felony charges against all four suspects with the possibility of up to 15 years in prison if convicted on each count.
Gill's attorney, Walter Bugden, said the prosecutors are trying to send a message.
"If you're going to do a prank, stick with toilet paper," he said. "I think that's really kind of the message."
Bugden said he thinks the charges are too much, and he hopes prosecutors will ultimately agree.
Salt Lake County prosecutor Blake Nakamara said he feels the felony charges fit the crime.
"What we charged them with was something reflective of what they did," Nakamara said. "We didn't feel the need, for instance, to put the gang enhancement and to charge everything we possibly could."
All sides are due back in court for arraignment on Sept. 26.
Related stories:
Miss Riverton gives up crown after being charged for throwing homemade bombs
4, including Miss Riverton 2013, charged for throwing explosive devices from car
911 calls released related to bombs tossed in Riverton Friday
