SOUTH SALT LAKE — Craig Roger Gregerson's family somberly walked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Saturday to visit their son, who is accused in the horrifying kidnapping, murder and sexual assault of 5-year-old Destiny Norton.
"This has been very difficult for them," said family friend Reed Farnsworth. "They abhor sin and violence and crime in any way."
The Gregersons spent about 30 minutes visiting Craig, who is incarcerated in the maximum-security unit of the Salt Lake County Jail. They walked out of the jail, arm-in-arm. The family declined to speak to reporters, but Farnsworth read a statement on behalf of the Gregersons.
"Despite the double-edged sword cutting through our souls, we can only imagine the pain of the Norton family," he said.
Behind him, Gregerson's parents, David and Karen, of Orem, his brother Spencer and his sister Carrie stood, consoling each other.
"We have urged Craig to do all that is possible to expedite the legal process so that the Norton family and our family may be granted a measure of peace and closure," Farnsworth said, speaking for the family.
Destiny's uncle, Peter Brooks, told the Deseret Morning News that he contacted the Gregerson's family representative on Friday and asked them to urge Craig to "admit his guilt and take his punishment like a man."
The Gregersons say they understand why many in the community are so angry, particularly after learning the gruesome details of the crime.
"We plead with everyone to throttle emotions and let reason and justice prevail," Farnsworth said.
Gregerson, 20, is charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense, and first-degree felony child kidnapping. If convicted, he could face the death penalty, life in prison without parole or 20 years-to-life. Prosecutors have not decided if they will seek the death penalty.
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office said that on July 16, Gregerson lured Destiny from her back yard into his apartment just two doors away. Once there, court papers say she wanted to leave and became very vocal.
"The defendant placed his hands over (Destiny's) mouth and squeezed," Salt Lake City police detectives wrote in a probable-cause statement filed with the criminal charges. An autopsy report said Destiny died from smothering.
Prosecutors said that after killing her, Gregerson took her body into the basement and sexually assaulted it. On July 24, police found Destiny's body inside the cellar in Gregerson's apartment, well concealed in a plastic storage container.
Gregerson made his first court appearance on Friday in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court. A judge appointed public defense lawyers to represent him. He will be back in court Aug. 7.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com