Mother is giving up murder suspect's baby

Catherine Elin Gregerson, wife of Craig Roger Gregerson, the man who is charged with murdering 5-year-old Destiny Norton this summer, plans to place the couple's 15-month-old daughter for adoption.

Catherine Gregerson, 23, appeared Wednesday in 3rd District Court on a charge of simple assault, a class A misdemeanor, that her lawyer said stems from a family argument over the adoption plans and her psychological state.

The lawyer, Delano Findlay, said outside the courtroom that his client had been cornered in her mother's home Aug. 7 by her mother, aunt, cousin and brother, who were all dismayed at Gregerson's decision about the adoption.

"They wanted to do an intervention," Findlay told the Deseret Morning News. "They were going to send her to a mental hospital."

He said Catherine Gregerson pushed past the mother and aunt, who were blocking the way out, and Gregerson's mother fell against a filing cabinet. The police were called, and they issued a citation to Gregerson.

"She didn't hit anybody, she didn't shove anybody," Findlay said.

Catherine Gregerson received a summons on the misdemeanor charge and was not booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. However, she was instructed Wednesday by 3rd District Judge Tyrone Medley to go through a book-and-release process before the end of this week for this case.

Findlay termed the charge "ridiculous" and "unnecessary," and said this is putting more pressure on his client, who is trying to rebuild her life after a turbulent time.

Catherine Gregerson has admitted she has emotional problems, and her attorney has described her in court documents as a "battered wife." She said Wednesday she is living now with "good, supportive friends," is working and getting counseling.

She said she and Craig Gregerson agreed in June, before Destiny Norton was murdered, to place their baby for adoption. Catherine Gregerson said her husband's lawyers are being provided with paperwork for him to sign, relinquishing paternal rights.

Craig Gregerson, 20, is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $5 million bail. By court order, he cannot talk to anyone but his legal team.

Their toddler daughter is already living with the family that plans to adopt her.