Hearing delayed for Eagle Mtn. couple accused of child abuse
Hearing delayed for Eagle Mtn. couple accused of child abuse
October 31, 2008
Daily Herald
Attorneys continued a waiver hearing Thursday for an Eagle Mountain couple accused of abusing children in their care.
David Drake and Ann Boyle, lawyers for Sekoa Aiono and Mary Heath respectively, asked Judge James Taylor for a continuance while they continue discovery, or gathering evidence and information in the case. Drake has only recently been retained as Aiono's attorney and neither attorney received any discovery-phase materials until Thursday's hearing.
The couple are accused of beating and starving a 9-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy in Heath's custody. Drake said the children had been taken from their mother, Heath's sister, and placed in their grandparents' care years ago. However, the grandparents became unable to take care of the children because of their advanced age and arrangements were made to send the children to Heath in Utah.
Drake said he has been impressed by the support of Aiono's family throughout the ordeal as they pack the courtroom for each hearing. Drake said the family is behind Aiono 100 percent.
"This guy has the best support I've ever seen in a family," he said.
Drake said one worry as the case moves forward is the chance that Aiono may not be able to receive a fair trial in Utah County. He said extensive media coverage may end up tainting the jury pool, and thus he could not comment on certain aspects of the case.
"I certainly can't add to that," he said.
Deputy County Attorney Craig Johnson said based on initial reports of the children's condition, the public should keep them in their prayers through this difficult time. As much support as Heath and Aiono have had, Johnson said he hopes the children have the same.
Johnson said he is confident the state has the evidence to show Heath and Aiono each had a part in the abuse and prosecutors are ready to take the case to trial.
"We are ready to go to trial today if needs be," he said.