- Two teenagers pled not guilty in the
murder of one of their parents. - Aaron Guerrero, 18, and Sierra Halseth, 16, are accused of killing Halseth's father.
- Authorities recovered a video from Halseth's phone showing the pair laughing about murder.
Two
Aaron Guerrero, 18, and Sierra Halseth, 16, each face nine counts related to the death of Halseth's father, 45-year-old Daniel Halseth. They stood beside one another in the virtual hearing on Friday morning and answered a judge's questions on their ages, education levels, and whether they understood the charges against them.
Both are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, arson, and four counts of fraudulent use of credit or debit cards. Though Sierra Halseth is a minor, she was charged as an adult.
The teenage couple drew nationwide headlines after authorities discovered a video on Sierra Halseth's phone showing the pair laughing about murder.
"Welcome back to our YouTube channel, three days after murdering somebody," Guerrero said in the video. Giggling, Sierra Halseth responded, "Whoa, don't put that on camera."
Guerrero replied, "It was worth it," while jokingly choking Sierra Halseth.
Authorities found Daniel Halseth's body in his garage April 9. An autopsy report said he received more than 70 stab wounds and "mutilation," mostly on his head, neck and torso, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Review-Journal also cited court documents saying Daniel Halseth's body was also "burned from head to toe" after being stuffed into a sleeping bag and set on fire.
By that time, Sierra Halseth and Guerrero had fled to Salt Lake City, according to prosecutors. The Review-Journal reported that surveillance video had captured the pair buying a circular saw, bleach, lighter fluid, and disposable gloves in Home Depot shortly before Daniel Halseth's murder.
Though Sierra Halseth is too young to receive a death penalty if she is convicted, prosecutors are weighing whether to seek it for Guerrero.
The judge scheduled the pair's trial for December. Their next court appearance will occur August 20.