No trial date for teen in Utah officers' shooting

SALT LAKE CITY - A 17-year-old charged in connection with a January shooting spree that left one police officer dead and another wounded is currently without a trial date as a judge decides where to hold the case, reports the Salt Lake Tribune.

In a brief court hearing Monday, Deputy Utah County Attorney Sam Pead told 4th District Judge Darold McDade he needs two weeks to respond to a change-of-venue motion filed by the attorney for Meagan Grunwald, according to the paper.

The suspect is accused of going on a shooting spree through two counties with her boyfriend, 27-year-old Jose Angel Garcia-Jauregui, who allegedly opened fire along a Utah highway and then clashed with officers during a 50-mile chase that ended with the suspect being shot by police and arrested on Jan. 30. Garcia-Jauregui later died from his injuries.

Grunwald, who is charged as an adult, pleaded not guilty in April to two misdemeanors and 10 felonies, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. If convicted, she faces life in prison.

Defense attorney Dean Zabriskie said his client will be unable to get a fair trial in Utah County, the Tribune reports. The shooting victims - deceased Sgt. Cory Wride and wounded Deputy Greg Sherwood - were officers for the county.

Pead acknowledged outside court on Monday that the fact the victims were police officers could sway a potential jurors. "I think in that sense, it's a pretty unique situation," he said, according to the paper.

Grunwald is due back in court July 21. Zabriskie said he anticipates a trial in late fall if a settlement is not reached.