ST. GEORGE — A 17-year-old charged with murder and aggravated robbery in the shooting death of a local mechanic pleaded not guilty Thursday during an arraignment hearing.
Koda Quest Lanza, who is charged along with two other men in the Jan. 3 slaying of Ted Banister at Southgate Golf Course, faces five years to life on each charge if convicted.
Fifth District Judge G. Rand Beacham ruled earlier at Lanza's preliminary hearing that prosecutors would be allowed to seek enhancements on each charge. Prosecutors allege a dangerous weapon was used during the murder and that Lanza acted in concert with two or more people.
Defense attorney Doug Terry said he wanted to reserve the right to revisit the enhancement charge dealing with a dangerous weapon after he had more time to review state law. There is some question, he said, about whether the law requires a defendant to have actually used a dangerous weapon during a crime in order for an enhancement charge to be added. Lanza told police another suspect killed Banister.
Beacham agreed there was room for interpretation in the state statute and said that particular enhancement issue would remain open for now. A four-day trial was scheduled for Lanza, although the date is not yet set.