Teen suspect in slaying has assault record

FARMINGTON — The teenager charged with capital murder in connection with the rape and stabbing death of a 22-year-old youth counselor has been convicted twice of aggravated sexual assault in juvenile court and has a juvenile criminal history dating back five years.

Robert Cameron Houston, 17, appeared before 2nd District Judge Jon Memmott on Tuesday and waived the court reading of the charges now lodged against him as an adult: capital murder (no death penalty because of his age), rape and aggravated sexual assault, all first-degree felonies.

The judge set another hearing for 1:30 p.m. today to appoint a "Rule 8 qualified" lawyer, meaning someone with the necessary education and experience to handle a capital case.

Houston is being held in the Davis County Jail without bail.

He is charged with killing Raechale Elton, a Weber State University student in criminal justice who was working for Youth Health Associates. Her funeral was held in Tooele at the same time Houston appeared in court.

Davis County Chief Deputy Attorney Bill McGuire said Elton on Feb. 15 had given Houston a ride from the YHA Clearfield group home to an independent living facility a short distance away. The person who was to supervise Houston was caught in traffic during the snowy weather that day and was not at the group home.

McGuire said Houston raped Elton at knifepoint and then stabbed her to death.

Despite his age, Houston has been charged as an adult in state district court because of the severity and nature of the crimes prosecutors allege Houston committed involving Elton.

Juvenile district court records show he was convicted of first-degree felony aggravated sexual assault in American Fork in 2004 and the same crime in Pleasant Grove in 2003.

Houston also has been convicted of destruction of property (class A misdemeanor) in 2002; false identification (class C misdemeanor) in 2001; theft (class B misdemeanor) in 2001; and escape from official custody, a third-degree felony in 2001.

His juvenile record shows a variety of court orders for the juvenile convictions: detention, non-residential community placement, community placement, probation, hours of community service and restitution.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com