LOGAN — Attorneys representing a Logan couple charged with murder in the death of their infant child are asking for their cases to be tried separately. Zachary Michael Woirhaye, 38, and Jodi Lee Anderson, 34, have been in the Cache County Jail since July after officers alleged they starved their one-month old baby to death.
Woirhaye and Anderson each appeared Monday morning in 1st District Court. Both have been charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense. Jodi also faces a charge of obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
On December 31, Logan City Police officers were called to a hotel room. The family had been residing at the hotel during the last several weeks. A 46-day-old infant boy was found lying on a bed, unresponsive, not breathing and with no heartbeat.
Paramedics transported the baby to Logan Regional Hospital and later to Primary Children’s Hospital. Medical staff said the boy was unhealthy, and showed signs of malnourishment and neglect. He died two weeks later.
Police later interviewed extended family members, who expressed concerns about both Woirhaye and Anderson’s mental capacity. They claimed the suspects had to be continually reminded about feeding the baby enough baby formula.
During Monday’s hearing, attorneys representing Woirhaye and Anderson expressed a desire to sever the cases and try them separately. They also explained that Anderson had a long history of mental illness and wanted to explore her competency.
Judge Spencer Walsh said that over the weekend he had also been provided a large stack of documents from the Utah Department of Child and Family Services. He expressed a need for time to review the material before making any formal rulings.
Cache County prosecutors have already said they are not seeking the death penalty against either suspect.
Judge Walsh ordered Anderson to appear again in court for a status conference Dec. 5. A preliminary hearing for Woirhaye was scheduled for Feb. 17, when it will be determined whether or not prosecutors have sufficient evidence in the case.
Both Anderson and Woirhaye are being held without bail. They could be sentenced to life in prison, if convicted.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
will@cvradio.com