TETON COUNTY, Idaho — The Teton County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney announced Thursday, Dec. 14, that the preliminary hearing for Jeremy Best scheduled for Dec. 18, has been vacated and proceedings have been suspended.
Jeremy Albert Best, 48, was charged Dec. 4 with two counts of first degree murder for the death of his pregnant wife, Kali Randall Best, by the Teton County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
According to a press release from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, by order of the court, the preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday, Dec 18, at 9:30 a.m. has been vacated. In addition, proceedings in the case are suspended until a capacity determination is reached in accordance with Idaho Statute 18-210 and pending Idaho Statute 18-211.
Idaho Statute 18-210 states that a lack of capacity to understand proceedings by the defendant “as a result of mental disease,” can result in a delay of trial “so long as such incapacity endures.” Idaho Statute 18-211 requires the completion of an examination of the defendant by psychiatrists and licensed psychologist “whenever there is reason to doubt the defendant’s fitness to proceed.”
The motion to suspend proceedings was filed jointly by the State of Idaho Prosecutors and legal counsel for Jeremy Best, according to court documents.
The Seventh Judicial Court cited “extraordinary circumstances” in the order for vacating the preliminary trial in accordance with Idaho Criminal Rule 5.1, allowing for extended time limits for preliminary hearings “in the absences of consent by the defendant.”
A new date for Best’s preliminary hearing has not been set.
