Brooks said he did not discuss the death penalty with the Nortons.

"He took an innocent child out of her own back yard . . . lured her into his house and then did the unspeakable acts that he performed on this child," Brooks said, trying to contain his anger. "No human being deserves to walk on this planet after doing that."

Funeral pending

Destiny's body has been released from the state medical examiner. Funeral arrangements are pending.

A fund set up for Destiny's family at Washington Mutual bank will help them pay for the funeral as well as move from the house near 700 South and 500 East where their daughter vanished. The fund will also help pay the family's expenses.

"Rick's not going to be able to work for a little while," Hill said.

The Nortons have been in seclusion since their daughter was found dead. They appeared briefly Wednesday to thank volunteers and police for helping to find Destiny.

Rachael Norton is 8 1/2 months pregnant and trying to stay strong, Archuleta said.

"She knows she has to try to keep calm for the baby."

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com