Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
KANAB — A man charged with murder in southern Utah has died while in custody from an apparent suicide, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Office.
Jason Thomas Hager, 39, of Bigwater, Kane County — who was also known as Jason Thomas Bates — died at the Kane County Jail on April 7 from a suspected suicide, according to a prepared statement from the sheriff's office. How he died was not disclosed. Hager's death is being investigated by the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the state medical examiner, according to police.
Hager was charged with aggravated murder in the shooting death of Matthew Wayne Young, 49, on Young's property in Church Wells on April 13, 2021. Hager's death comes less than a week after a judge determined that he was not competent to stand trial.
According to court records, Hager was determined on April 1 to be incompetent for trial and was ordered to be transported to a state hospital for treatment. A review of his competency was scheduled for June 23.
In the judge's order to have Hager committed to a hospital to be restored to competency, the judge also noted concerns that Hager may have been exaggerating his condition.
"The court noted that it had received and reviewed the evaluation regarding the mental health of the defendant and his competency to stand trial. The court heard recommendations by the parties who stipulated that the defendant was not competent to stand trial. The state requested that the court order the Department of Human Services to specifically review the defendant for malingering," according to court documents.
The order states that Hager's mental disorder prevented him from understanding the charges against him, the potential punishment he faced if found guilty, and the ability to assist in his own defense. However, the judge's order also noted that Hager "may be overemphasizing his condition, which may result in some level of malingering."
Hager was ordered to be held in the Kane County Jail until a bed became available and transportation could be arranged to take him to a treatment facility.
Hager is accused of shooting Young in the back, and then shooting him again at close range when Young was on the ground and injured, charging documents state.
