Man charged with killing deputy, Scott Curley, heading to Arizona

KANAB — A man accused of ambushing and killing a Kane County sheriff's deputy will soon be on his way back to Arizona to face first-degree murder charges.

Shackled at his ankles and wrists, Scott Curley waived his extradition rights Thursday in a Kanab courtroom.

Sixth District Judge Paul Lyman asked him if he knew what waiving those rights meant.

Curley, who appeared tired and dazed, softly said yes.

Curley's aunt and uncle, who raised him, were in the courtroom, as well as other family members. At one point, some of them started sobbing.

"It was kind of hard for them, when they first saw him come into the courtroom," said Pastor Sondra Colton of the Trinity Assembly of God in Fredonia, the church Curley's family belongs to. "It's hard for them to visualize this transpiring."

Curley will be transferred to Coconino County, Ariz., where he's charged with shooting and killing deputy Brian Harris just outside of Fredonia, Ariz.. last Thursday. Curley is also facing attempted burglary and trespassing charges in Utah, although Kane County's attorney will let Arizona prosecute him first.

"We want the Arizona case to go forward before we take our charges to trial," said Kane County Attorney Jim Scarth.

Scarth also doesn't know if Arizona prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty against Curley.

"I've talked several times with the deputy Coconino County attorney," said Scarth. "She's never talked to me about any punishment sentencing. She's only talked about the things we needed to do to get him properly extradited."

After Harris was killed, a four-day search involving more than 300 law enforcement officers took place in the desert near Fredonia. Curley was captured early Monday after he allegedly tried breaking into a house in the desert near Kanab.

Harris leaves behind a wife and two daughters. A viewing for him was held Thursday night at Valley High School in Orderville. Another viewing will be held Friday morning starting at 10.

His funeral service is set for noon on Friday at Valley High School.

e-mail: acabrero@ksl.com