Teen ordered to trial in rape, beating of jogger in Sandy

Teen ordered to trial in rape, beating of jogger in Sandy

WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) — A teenager accused of raping and trying to kill a 50-year-old woman who was jogging in a park in suburban Salt Lake City has been ordered to stand trial on kidnapping, sexual assault and attempted murder charges.

A judge bound the 16-year-old over for trial on six counts Tuesday after the victim testified at a preliminary hearing in juvenile court that the teen lured her into stopping by claiming he needed some help in a park in Sandy in March.

The Deseret News reports he allegedly asked to borrow her cellphone, but then dragged her into a ravine and started beating and choking her.

A Sandy detective testified they tracked him down with the help of surveillance footage from two nearby commuter train stations.

A hearing is scheduled Tuesday on whether to transfer the case to the adult system.