[media id=13 width=320 height=240]
Anjela Marie Hill, 25, appears eager to face justice in Utah, however Nevada may not so eager to let her go.
Last week, Hill who also goes by a variety of other aliases waived her right to fight extradition to Utah where she has one fugitive warrant stemming from an end of the year crime spree that began in rural Sanpete County, Utah December 28 and ended in the Nevada outback January 5th. Hill’s partner in crime, Logan Welles McFarland, 24, told the court that unlike Hill he would be fighting extradition.
The reason why the Bonnie of the Bonnie and Clyde duo wants to return to Utah and why the Clyde wishes to stay in the Silver State may have something to do with the separate charges they are facing or will face in the coming weeks.
While only wanted for burglary for now in Utah, Hill is facing aggravated attempted murder charges in Nevada. McFarland’s charge of kidnapping pales in comparison to the double murder charges he will most likely face in the coming weeks from Utah.
Accused of shooting West Wendover businesswoman Rattana Keomanivong in the head during a failed car jacking, Hill could be facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted.
“Maybe she thinks she could avoid the charges somehow if she is extradited to Utah to stand trial there first,” explained a judicial officer familiar with the case. “There are a lot of factors in any extradition case. But there is no way she will avoid the Nevada charges. The best she could hope for is to delay them, while she sits in a prison cell in Utah.”
Since her arrest Hill along with members of her family have denied her guilt. In an interview with the salt lake Tribune, hill said McFarland had “kind of” kidnapped her and forced her along on the crime spree.
During her very first court appearance in Elko, Hill fell over sobbing while the charges against her were read.
The display had little effect on either Judge Barbara Nethery or viewers of the video.
[media id=2 width=320 height=240]
“I wasn’t impressed,” said one comment on the High Desert Advocate’s web page where it is being aired. “ as soon as she (Hill) has a question she stops crying and you can’t even see a tear.”
The display was also very familiar to people from Hill’s hometown in Farmington, Utah.
“That is exactly how she acted when she got caught stealing, smoking or skipping school,” said one resident. “Most of the time it worked she is a good looking girl who looks and acts so remorseful. So you give her a second chance.”
This time its different and any remorse Hill may feel is completely irrelevant.
Despite her claims of being forced to go with McFarland it was Hill who took Keomanivong in her car while McFarland followed closely behind in the couples stolen vehicle.
According to police reports it was also Hill who held Keomanivong at bay while Hill drove with a gun pointed at the Wendover woman’s head. And it was also Hill who shot Keomanivong after Keomanivong counterattacked biting, scratching pummeling and kicking Hill out of the car.
Hill’s already tenuous claims of being a victim were further weakened this week when new charges were leveled against her from Sanpete County.
Sanpete County prosecutors charged Hill, Wednesday in 6th District Court with two counts of second-degree felony burglary and one count of third-degree felony burglary.
According to an arrest warrant filed in court Wednesday, the burglary happened Dec. 28 at a Mount Pleasant home near 3200 North and 2750 East.
The homeowner told police that two women, later identified as Hill and Allison Boudreaux, came to the house to talk about buying a trailer, the document states.
Boudreaux allegedly spoke with the woman and kept her occupied while Hill and McFarland went through the home and stole a purse, a laptop, two guns and two saddles, according to the warrant.
That incident occurred on the same day but earlier than another burglary that ended in the murder of an elderly couple Woody and Ann Fullwood.
While Sanpete police at first emphasized that Hill was not connected to the Fullwoods’ killing, her participation in the previous burglary could indicate a change of thinking.
McFarland also has not been charged yet in the Sanpete murders but is identified as a person of interest.
Last week, Sanpete County prosecutors filed charges against three other people in connection with the burglary of the Fullwoods’ home.
Boudreaux, 45, is charged with first-degree felony aggravated burglary of a dwelling; second-degree felony counts of obstructing justice, felon in possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of stolen property; third-degree felony possession or use of a controlled substance; and class A misdemeanor tampering with evidence.
A search warrant states that Boudreaux owned the home where Logan McFarland attended a party the night of the killings. She also owned a Plymouth Breeze, which McFarland and Hill asked to borrow that night, the warrant states.
Damien Malichi Flores, 20, is charged with multiple felonies for allegedly burning items taken from the couple’s home. And McFarland’s brother, 27-year-old Larry Dee McFarland, is charged with felony obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor count for allegedly altering a number or mark on a handgun.
Boudreaux, Flores and Larry McFarland were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. Prosecutors have said more charges could be filed against all the defendants.
Hill and McFarland are scheduled to appear next week in Elko Justice Court for a formal reading of the charges and scheduling of the couples preliminary hearing.
Hill’s efforts to return to Utah could also backfire on her.
With three major trials upcoming in February and march, the resources of the Elko District attorney’s Office are already stretched thin.
DA Marc Torvinen may welcome the chance to try the whole case at a much leisurely pace. Especially since neither Hill nor McFarland will be going anywhere difficult to find.