Prosecutors: Not enough evidence for murder charges in Ethan Stacy case yet

FARMINGTON — Nathan Sloop held a tissue in his shackled hands, wiped away occasional tears and kept his head held low, looking down for most of his brief court appearance Friday.

His wife and co-defendant, Stephanie Sloop, looked very intimidated as she walked into the courtroom, not saying a word and only at one point writing a message to her attorney on a note pad.

"She's very emotional and having a difficult time," defense attorney Julie George told the court.

The newlywed Layton couple accused of killing Stephanie Sloop's son, 4-year-old Ethan Stacy, made their first court appearance Friday. Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings announced earlier that his office is not yet ready to file formal charges against the couple.

He noted, however, that he hopes to eventually file aggravated murder charges against both Ethan's mother and his stepfather.

Nathan and Stephanie Sloop appeared separately in court. They walked in before a standing-room-only courtroom that included nearly a dozen bailiffs, several reporters and more than a dozen members of the group Bikers Against Child Abuse, as well as concerned members of the public.

Also in the courtroom was Nathan Sloop's mother, Pam Sloop, who was escorted out a back door after the hearing to avoid reporters.

Nathan Sloop, wearing a red jail jumpsuit, spoke only twice, saying a barely audible, "Yes, your honor" when asked if he needed a court-appointed lawyer and if he agreed to waive his right to bail at least until his next court hearing on May 28. Stephanie Sloop, also wearing a red jail jumpsuit, agreed to the same stipulations.

Both lawyers for the Sloops asked 2nd District Judge David Connors, at the request of their clients, to restrict access to them to their lawyers and family members only.

"People are trying to get in and see her who have no connection to the case," George said of Stephanie Sloop.

Defense attorney Todd Utzinger added that Nathan Sloop had received more than a dozen interview requests from the media, but he has no interest in talking.

During his hearing, Utzinger said it would be in his client's interest to be denied bail while charges were being considered and his client may actually "benefit" from the discovery of additional evidence.

As Nathan Sloop was led out of the courtroom, he gave a quick glance around the room, finally focusing on a back aisle where his mother was sitting.