Judge weighs trial in clinic incident

HEBER CITY (AP) — A judge says he will take written briefs from lawyers before determining whether a 35-year-old man who allegedly took hostages at a medical clinic in January stands trial.

Following a preliminary hearing Wednesday in 4th District Court, Judge Derek P. Pullan said he would take briefs before deciding whether to bind Royal K. Giles over on nine counts of first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, one count of second-degree felony aggravated assault and a class B misdemeanor of impersonating an officer.

Police said the Pleasant Grove drywall contractor went to the Wasatch Medical Clinic on Jan. 25 to speak to a doctor who had treated his stepfather two years earlier but became angry and afraid of a patient typing into a laptop computer.

When the patient was called by a nurse, Giles allegedly pulled a gun on him, ordered him to lie on the floor and falsely identified himself as a police officer.

Giles was persuaded within minutes to surrender by Heber City Police Sgt. Perry Rose. There were no injuries.

Earlier this month, two state-appointed psychologists found Giles mentally competent to stand trial. But Provo-based defense attorney Michael Petro said that both noted his client may have suffered from diminished capacity on the day of the incident.