LOGAN — A 40-year-old Logan man accused of downloading child pornography has been found competent to stand trial. The case against Daniel Cliff Torson has been on hold for three months while psychologists determined whether or not he was able to understand the court process.
According to court records, Torson participated in a competency hearing Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was previously charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.
Torson has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for thefts, child abuse, lewdness, possession of a controlled substance and other crimes. The cases have occurred during the past 21 years, going back to 2002.
The latest case was filed after federal investigators traced multiple files of child pornography to Torson’s electronic devices. The crimes allegedly occurred around June 2019.
Torson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has also sent multiple letters to the court, asking for evidence in the case and later requesting a new public defender. He claimed that there was irreconcilable differences and a lack of communication with his legal counsel.
The case has been pending for over two years after multiple trials were postponed previously.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Gordon Low said Torson had been evaluated by two psychologists, both concluding that the defendant was competent to proceed. He set the case for a 5-day trial that will be held in either May or June.
Torson remains in the Utah State Correctional Facility and is scheduled to appear again in court Mar. 4. He could face up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.