DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Nathan Sloop is charged in the May 2010 murder of 4-year-old Ethan Stacy.
On Thursday of last week prosecutors decided to seek the death penalty against sloop. On Tuesday December 11th the case that's been going for more than 2 years got closer to trial.
“There’s never been a plea deal. We’ve had discussions about a plea deal but there’s never been a plea deal,“ said defense attorney Rich Mauro.
Just days after the prosecuting attorney's office announced they were seeking the death penalty, Sloop faced the judge again.
“I think things are moving forward more quickly now. I think that’s a fair statement,” said Mauro.
Sloop is charged with murder, child abuse, obstruction, and desecration of a body after police found Ethan Stacy's body in a shallow grave near Powder Mountain in May of 2010.
“At this point were just going to proceed to the preliminary hearing, put some evidence on, spend 3 days in court discussing the evidence in the case,” said Mauro.
There will now be an evidence hearing on March 18th followed by a preliminary hearing on March 27th, 28th and 29th.
Outside the courtroom, a family friend read a statement from the Stacy family in hopes they will find some closure.
“We are confident in the prosecution and put our faith in them and god that justice will be served,” read family friend Anissa Martinez.
The words read, expressing death is too good for the man accused of killing the little boy.
“We were asked if we thought the death penalty was justified in this case, our answer is no. In our opinion it’s not enough. But if that’s as much as we can get then it will have to be,” read Martinez.
Nathan's biological mother, Stephanie Sloop, has also been charged with the murder but is being tried separately.
