PROVO — One of three men facing hate-crime charges in the attack of a black Latter-day Saint missionary in Payson has been found legally competent, a development allowing the case to move forward.
After reviewing a psychological evaluation for Sebastian Francis West, 19, 4th District Judge James Brady ruled Tuesday that West is competent, meaning he can understand the case against him and work with his attorneys.
Tom Means, West’s defense attorney, had sought the evaluation based on a suspicion that his client may not be competent.
West was rearrested in May after he was released from jail in March despite a judge’s order that he be held without bail. While the jail said it had not received notice of the no-bail hold before West’s release, a state courts spokesman said the courts had communicated properly. At the time, jail records show West was held on an allegation that he violated probation on a separate domestic violence case.
Prosecutors say West, his brother, Malachi Bay West, and another man, Nathan Thomas, of Nephi, attacked the missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outside of a home in Payson on Jan. 28.
The missionary, who is from Panama, told police the men called him the N-word and “church boy,” and punched and kicked him in the head. They told him “This is our town,” and “Go back to slavery” charges state.
West is due back in court June 23. Thomas and Malachi West have hearings scheduled for June 16.