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Show Visit imm us on the World Wide Web http:www.ecprogress.com Intensive search for local man ends mans Young family, friends and community CEU students collect food for the Emery County Food Bank. They turned in 1600 pounds of donated food last Thursday. See page 2A School technology specialists recieve training to help them further incorporate computers into the classroom. See page 4A John Lang joins Paula and Doug with some fall gardening suggestions. See page 7A orts Gary Arrington is back with more Sports Chat See page 3B Check out Casey Toomers trophy buck! See page 9B volunteers continue searching By LYNNDA JOHNSON Sun Advocate editor An intensive Carbon-Emer- y search and rescue effort to locate a missing Wellington resident concluded unsuccessfully Saturday night. But the young mans family members, friends and community volunteers continued to comb a remote area east of Mounds in an attempt to locate Ryan Thayn. The Carbon County Sheriffs Office responded to a 3:08 a.m. missing person report on Nov. 5, confirmed Chief Deputy Mike Martinez during an interview Monday mornld ing. The public safety dispatch broadcast indicated that the young man had failed to return home from work last Wednesday. (Continued on page 2 A) Sun Family and friends gather around the fire after rescuers called off the search for missing Ryan Thayn. The search began early Wednesday morning when the Car- - Advocate PHOTOJeremiah Stettler bon County Sheriffs Office responded to the missing person report. The search officially ended last Saturday evening. Preliminary hearing scheduled for Green River murder suspect Scott Joseph Merrill showed little emotion at his arraignment on Thursday By DORIS QUINN Progress editor Emery County residents, particularly Green River residents, have been in a state of shock and disbelief for over a week now since the tragic death of Charles Watterson. Hours before Wattersons funeral this past Thursday, his al- leged murderer, Scott Joseph Merrill, made his first court appearance. Merrill entered the courtroom, was escorted to his chair in the front and from then on barely moved, nor did he show any signs of emotion. The judge asked Merrill how long he had been under arrest to which he replied, I dont know, what day is this? The judge told him it was Thursday so he stated, I guess for a week. When asked by the judge if he desired council, he expressed that he did, but is unable to afford an attorney. The judge ordered legal representation be sought for him by an attorney licensed to handle a capital aggravated murder charge. In the mean time the judge appointed Attorney David Allred to meet with Merrill that same day and also to work with the attorney that will represent Merrill. David Blackwell, County Attorney, then presented to the court a motion to modify bail. Bail for Merrill had been previously set at $100,000. Scott Joseph Merrill faces the judge during his first hearing last Thursday in the Emery County Courthouse. While emotions from observers were seen and felt by all, Merrill showed no emotion throughout the hearing. Deputy County Attorney Mary Manly outlined the details of the investigation into Wattersons murder so far. She read from an 1 1 page affidavit by Emery County Sheriffs Detective Kyle Ekker. It stated in the affidavit that officers attempted to retrace the steps of the suspect prior to the homicide. It was discovered that he had made a reservation for Amtrak on Oct. 20 from Spokane, Washington to Portland Oregon. From Portland, he purchased a ticked to Martinez, California, and from Martinez, he purchased a ticket to Green River. He apparently arrived in Green River Oct. 25, and traveled to his first campsite approximately one and a half to two miles south of Green River. At this campsite he buried a plastic bag with his identification in it. Officers also found two credit cards, a radio, pictures of Merrill in military attire, a checkbook, baggage stubs and an Amtrak itinerary. Evidence suggest that Oct. 26, he moved to his second campsite, approximately seven to eight miles south of Green River. In the Horse Bench Reservoir area officers found a backpack and nylon bag containing a check off list of items for the trip, Merrills fathers name, two full cartons of .22 shells, a notebook with credit card numbers matching the two credit cards at the first campsite, and a map of the United States. On the map the words United States of America was crossed out and the words New Islamic Front were written in. A line was penned on the map from Portland to Los Angeles along the Rocky Moun- tains. More evidence suggest that on Oct. 27, Merrill stopped at this third campsite, south of the reservoir a half mile north of the homicide scene. On Oct 28, the evidence suggests that Merrill made his fourth campsite, approximately nine miles from the previous days camp. About 100 yards east of this camp he placed a poncho. In this poncho was a Thompson Contender pistol with a .308 barrel attached. Officers also found a survival knife and a carton of .22 ammunition. The carton was missing one container. At this location evidence suggests that Merrill target practiced on a sign near the bridge. This sign had been shot six times, three times with a 308 caliber and three times with a .22. Evidence suggest that on Oct. 29 Merrill traveled back toward Green River approximately six to seven miles. This was the area that the homicide occurred. After allegedly murdering Watterson, evidence suggests that Merrill returned to the Horse Bench Reservoir area, stopped for lunch, then traveled approximately seven miles to Little Valley. He then walked along the Lower San Rafael River Road to the airport intersection, approximately 10 miles from the crime scene. At this location he left the road and walked in a wash toward Green River. He traveled east paralleling At milepost 159 12, 200 yards south from the eastbound lane officers found an empty semiautomatic Ruger with a pistol grip, along with two loaded clips. Just south of the gun, two boxes of .22 rounds were found. (Continued on page 3A) 10-2- 2 Emery County 1998 election results Various volunteers needed Emery results Countys General Election There are 6622 registered voters in Emery County, 3690 of which elected to exercise their privilege to vote on Nov. 3. County Commissioner A race: 2151 Randy G. Johnson Mark H. Williams 1745 County Commission B race: Ira W. Hatch 2114 1835 Bevan K. Wilson County ClerkAuditor race: 2435 Bruce C. Funk Karen L. Truman ' 1519 against. Retention of Precinct County Sheriff race: Gordon S. Bennett 1671 Lamar E. Guymon County Assessor James Fauver, County Attorney David Blackwell, County Recorder Dixie Swasey and County Treasurer JoAnn Behling all ran unopposed. Local Board of Education District 4, Marie Guymon Johnson and Local Board of Education District 5, Royd F. Hatt ran unopposed. Retention of 7th District Court Judge Bryner was 3016 for, 552 2305 1 County Judge Truman was 2567 for, 789 against. Retention of Precinct 2 County Judge Burns was 283 for, 40 against. A volunteer is needed in the Castle Dale area to take children to Doctors appointments on an as needed basis. You will be eligible for a mileage reimbursement. Volunteers are being recruited to assist people with filing for supplemental security income. This person will receive training from the Social Security Administration and have an office available at the Department of Workforce Services in Castle Dale. Duties will include assisting customers in filling out the papers, talking them through the progress, and possibly helping them through the hearing process. A mileage reimbursement could be available. Do you have some time to drive clients to appointments? This is on an as needed basis to enable Workforce Service clients to meet appointments with schooling, job applications (Continued on page 3 A) |