SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – It’s been four and a half years but the parents of a murder victim face her alleged killer in a courtroom.
Esar Met is facing capital murder charges for the death of Hser Ner Moo.
The seven year old girl was found beaten, raped and strangled in Met’s where he was staying.
Back in 2008, a massive search took place trying to find her. But her body which was found in the shower of Met’s basement was about 50-yards from where her parents were living.
“I was very, very angry when I learned how she died," says her father, Cartoon Wah with the help of a translator.
Now after four years, Met and his team of lawyers are finally hearing the evidence against them. Preliminary hearings normally happen within months of charges being filed. Both Met and the victim's family speak Burmese or Karin, a dialect in Burma. Certified translators were hard to find. And Met’s translator who was in court Thursday says the 25-year old is confused.
“He doesn't understand he could be facing a death sentence and also he thinks that he didn't do it,” says Muang Muang. “And this guy never went to school. He can’t even read or write Burmese.
Met's competency did come into question adding to more delays but attorneys settled those issues.
Muang Muang has translated for both sides.
“They (parents) are confused,” he says. “They don't understand clearly what has happened.”
But one thing is certain for Hser Ner Moo's parents. If Met is found guilty they want an eye for an eye.
“I would like to see him get death sentence," says her father.
The preliminary hearing is scheduled for seven days.
