PROVO — An illegal immigrant from Mexico arrested in connection with the Friday shooting death of his boss in Lehi had been trying to collect $1,345 in back wages from the employer.

Jesus Hernandez, 32, filed a complaint with the Utah Labor Commission last month seeking a judgment against Joseph Crummy, 38, the owner of Prestige Exteriors.

Hernandez also had allegedly threatened to shoot Crummy, according to a Utah County prosecutor.

Hernandez was talkative Monday during his first court appearance, done via a video hookup from the Utah County Jail. In fact, he was too talkative for 4th District Judge Anthony Schofield, who cut him off when the judge felt Hernandez was venturing toward a discussion that could become evidence.

The exchange came when Schofield asked Hernandez if he is employed. "Unfortunately," Hernandez replied, "I was employed by the person that I . . . ."

Schofield quickly interrupted Hernandez, who does not yet have an attorney, and said, "Don't say anything more about the current offense."

After pausing to listen to Schofield's statement through a Spanish interpreter, Hernandez, who spoke in English, continued, "What I'm saying is, that was the last job I had."

Utah County deputy attorney Curtis Larson told Schofield of allegations that Hernandez threatened Crummy, a stucco contractor, because Crummy hadn't paid Hernandez for work he'd done.

"Because of the premeditation in this case," Larson said, "and the fact that the INS may have an interest in taking (Hernandez) from the United States, we request $500,000 cash-only bail."

Schofield set bail at $500,000 cash-only and scheduled a hearing for Jan. 20, when Hernandez will be assigned a public defense attorney.

Meanwhile, Hispanic labor leaders decried both the fatal shooting and what they say is a common practice of not paying undocumented workers.

Hernandez filed a claim against Crummy on Dec. 22, asking the Labor Commission to help him collect $1,345 in wages he said Crummy owed him for 134.5 hours of work done in Alpine between Dec. 1 and Dec. 19.

On the form, Hernandez wrote, "I have not received any check" and said he quit "because he does not pay."

He also wrote that he asked Crummy for payment on Dec. 20.

Hernandez's claim was one of 19 complaints — all made by Hispanic workers — filed against Crummy and his business, Prestige Exteriors, since June, according to Sherrie Hayashi, director of Utah's Anti-Discrimination and Labor Division. All of the complaints alleged unpaid wages or bad checks. The 19 claims total close to $40,000, according to the Utah Labor Commission.

Hayashi said Prestige Exteriors did not respond to three claims and the Labor Commission ordered Crummy to make the payments. Two other claims were resolved.