OGDEN -- An Ogden man has been found competent to stand trial for the December suspected beating death of his 17-month-old son.
Jason Whittier, 20, went before 2nd District Judge Roger Dutson Tuesday for a competency hearing, but there was no testimony. Dutson set a June 1 trial for Whittier, who is charged with murder, a first-degree felony.The toddler, Elijah C. Fisher, was living with his mother in Layton. On Dec. 21, Elijah was visiting his father in Ogden when Whittier called 911 because the child had stopped breathing. Elijah was taken to McKay-Dee Hospital and then transferred to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, where he remained in critical condition until his death on Christmas Eve. He suffered a fractured skull that caused his brain to swell.
When questioned by police, Whittier allegedly told a detective that the toddler had cried, which made him mad, so he started shaking him.
Police said Whittier then stated he put Elijah on the bed, allegedly punched him twice in the stomach with a closed fist, shook him again and then dropped him on the floor.