Teen who's charged in West Valley slaying faces more charges

A 14-year-old boy who will stand trial in the shooting death of a young man at a West Valley golf course is now facing two more felony charges.

Prosecutors say they will use those new, unrelated charges to bolster their argument that the teen should be certified into adult court and tried there.

The teen, who has been identified in court documents only as A.F. because of his age, appeared before 3rd District Juvenile Judge Andrew Valdez on Wednesday on charges of burglary, a first-degree felony that also includes a weapons "enhancement," which means possibly extra penalties if it is determined that he is guilty and a weapon was used while committing this crime. The teen also faces a charge of theft, a second-degree felony.

Prosecutor Steven Beck said the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office got information about the new crimes July 17 from South Jordan police, and his office filed charges July 29. These were not being delayed for any reason, Beck told the judge.

However, the district attorney's office does plan to use the charges to further its argument that A.F. should be tried in adult court, Beck said.

The youth's attorney, Richard Van Wagoner, entered pleas on behalf of his client, denying any guilt.

To streamline proceedings, the pretrial hearing on the new charges will be Sept. 29, which also is the day of the teen's certification hearing to determine whether the homicide trial will take place in juvenile or adult court.

Three adults also are charged with the Feb. 5 shooting death of JoJo Brandstatt, who prosecutors say was kidnapped and marched up a hill at a golf course and shot dead.

An adult witness, Greg Brown, who said he was kidnapped that day has testified the 14-year-old was angry that Brandstatt got into the car the others were riding in while wearing rival gang colors.

During a previous juvenile-court hearing, Valdez heard a tape recording of the teen insisting he was high on marijuana, was very frightened and was coerced by the older participants into shooting Brandstatt.

All the defendants in the case are charged with aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and five counts of aggravated robbery, all first-degree felonies.

The adults charged are Jeremiah H. Williamson, 28; Spencer Isaiah Cater, 18; and Sharise O. Malaga, 19.

They also have been bound over for trial, and their next court hearing is a status conference on Oct. 5.

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com