LOGAN — A Logan man has claimed he was mentally insane when he allegedly killed his father and left the 77-year-old man’s body in Logan Canyon in September. Clayton Robert Shaw, 33, remains in the Cache County Jail, being held without bail, where doctors will determine whether or not he is competent to stand trial.
According to court records, Shaw appeared Dec. 12 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was previously charged with murder, a first-degree felony.
Defense attorney Shannon Demler said Shaw wished to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, where a judge would have determined whether or not prosecutors had sufficient evidence in the case, and be bound over on the charge. He also entered a plea of “not guilty by reason of insanity,” and asked the court to determine whether or not his client is able to understand the court process and defend himself.
Judge Brian Cannell agreed to allow Shaw to undergo a competency hearing. He scheduled a review hearing for Feb. 12.
According to prosecutors, Dennis Shaw was found with multiple stab wounds to the chest Sept. 26 in the Franklin Basin parking lot. Cache County Sheriff’s deputies reported he appeared to have been dragged and placed at the scene.
Investigators believe Shaw was killed somewhere else and taken to the parking lot, since his vehicle was not there. Deputies later uncovered a recent history of disputes between him and his son.
Prosecutors allege, Clayton Shaw had been served an eviction notice in July from a property owned by his father or his father’s trust. Dennis Shaw also reported his son came to his house in some kind of “mental crisis,” took away his phone and told him he was “trying to find a way to kill you.”
Investigators suspect Clayton Shaw suffered from paranoia and was known to carry a firearm.
On Sept. 27, deputies began watching Dennis Shaw’s house, where they reported seeing Clayton Shaw walk up to the door, knock, and then drive away. Law enforcement conducted what they called a “high-risk traffic stop,” where they found a knife consistent with the injuries sustained by the victim.
Prosecutors report that during a search of the vehicle, police found a used bottle of hydrogen peroxide and drops of human blood in the trunk. A bloody fingerprint was found near the bumper of the car.
While being questioned by investigators, Clayton Shaw allegedly didn’t ask what had happened or how his father died. However, when confronted with the question of whether he had stabbed his father, he finally made a denial.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.