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SALT LAKE CITY — A judge has determined a Salt Lake City man accused of attacking two people with a metal pipe, killing one of them, is not mentally competent to stand trial.
In a hearing on Aug. 23, 3rd District Judge James Blanch ordered Nathaniel Kenyon's release from the Department of Health and Human Services. This means he will no longer be in the Utah State Hospital's custody based on the criminal case but will remain there as part of a civil commitment.
Kenyon, 45, is charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and aggravated assault, a second-degree felony.
In a hearing a few weeks before the decision, attorneys told Blanch that the state hospital had determined he would not be able to be restored to competency and face trial for the charge.
On May 1, 2021, Salt Lake City police posted a photo of Kenyon saying he was a suspect in a homicide and informing the public that he should be considered dangerous.
Earlier that day, Kevin Hettich, 51, was found dead at 338 W. Hansen Avenue. Hettich had "obvious signs" of being assaulted, including "major trauma" to his head, according to charging documents.
Surveillance video showed a man, later identified by police as Kenyon, with a metal pole. Police also learned of a second victim who reported being attacked while sleeping in the same area where Hettich's body was found. That man had a broken arm and a head injury, according to charging documents.
"Before detectives began interviewing Kenyon, he made statements which included, 'I killed a guy,' and 'I did him a favor,' and 'I took him down and killed him as fast as I could. It was a mercy killing,'" the charges state.
He said he had an "evil feeling" and had seen Hettich "hiding in the dark waiting to kill him."
Kenyon had been released from the Salt Lake County Jail days before the killing due to overcrowding after police said he punched a nurse while on an involuntary psychiatric hold.
Kenyon did not speak at the hearing on Aug. 23, but on Aug. 9, he said multiple times, "I refuse to sign."
Because of the seriousness of the charges, Blanch said he would retain jurisdiction over the case, and a review hearing was set for Kenyon in September 2025. Blanch said he would typically dismiss the case after ordering a civil commitment, but he will continue to oversee this case.
Kenyon's attorney, Samuel Hanseen, told KSL.com that if his client's competency is restored in the future, Kenyon could face the charges again.
