By James Greaves
An illegal immigrant accused of fatally shooting his boss at a construction site appeared Tuesday afternoon in Provo”s 4th District Court to determine his mental health and competency to stand trial.
Jesus Hernandez, 32, stands accused of murder, obstruction of justice and possession of a dangerous weapon and faces up to life in prison.
Judge Steven L. Hansen deferred the mental health hearing to await evaluations by court-appointed psychiatrists.
Dana Facemyer, Hernandez”s attorney, declined to comment on the case.
Hernandez”s boss, Joseph Crummy of Salt Lake City, was found shot through the open window of his truck on Jan. 9. Five to six rounds were apparently fired. Crummy, 38, died shortly after arriving by ambulance at Spanish Fork Hospital.
Hernandez filed a complaint earlier in the year against Crummy with the Utah Labor Division, claiming that his boss owed him $1,345.
The case brought attention to state immigration and labor laws, as many illegal immigrants are hesitant to approach government agencies such as the Utah Labor Division for help, due to fear of being deported.
