A two-day evidence hearing began Wednesday morning for a Utah teen charged with murder after he allegedly filmed the suicide of a girl found hanged in Payson Canyon.
Tyerell Przybycien, 18, is charged in 4th District Court with first-degree felony murder and misdemeanor abuse or desecration of a dead human body for failing to report the body.
Prosecutors are expected to present evidence and testimony over two days and a judge will then decide whether there is probable cause for the case to move forward to trial.
Utah County sheriff’s officials have said the 16-year-old Spanish Fork girl was found dead by turkey hunters on May 6 near Maple Lake. Jchandra Brown was hanging by a noose tied to a tree.
Under her feet, Utah County Sheriff’s detective Quinton Fackrell testified, authorities found two grocery bags. One plastic bag had a cell phone, a fast-food restaurant nametag and a notebook with a brief suicide note signed by Brown, instructing the reader ”watch the video, it’s on my phone.”
A receipt was also found nearby with Przybycien’s name on it that showed the recent purchase of rope and other items, according to officials.
The 10-minute video that was on Brown’s phone was played in a silent courtroom on Wednesday, showing the final moments of the girl’s life purportedly filmed by Przybycien. A male voice — which authorities say is the defendant’s — can be heard throughout the video, muttering ”Um” and ”OK” as the girl hangs.
He at times seems to be checking on her, once saying, ”Thumbs up if you’re OK,” but at other times comments about the girl’s death, saying, ”That’s when the brain stops getting oxygen.”
The video ends with a male voice saying, ”I guess I’ll just leave this here now.”
Weeks before Brown’s death, prosecutors allege Przybycien texted a friend and said he wanted to help kill the girl, saying “Its like getting away with murder!” He texted again after the girl’s death saying, “I helped her do it too and I feel so guilty,” charging documents say.
Przybycien also allegedly told investigators that he helped Brown tie the noose and researched how to tie a noose a month earlier when the girl told him she was suicidal, according to charging documents.
People who have suicidal thoughts can call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition’s website for help. A smartphone application called SafeUT also allows users to chat or call a crisis counselor, and submit tips.