Judge rules Smithfield man was mentally ill in father’s murder

Shane Halstrom listens as Tony, Baird, Cache County Deputy Attorney, speaks during a hearing where Halstom pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder on Thursday afternoon in Logan.

LOGAN — A judge has ruled that Shane Hallstrom was mentally ill when the 26-year-old Smithfield man stabbed and killed his father.

First District Court Judge, Kevin Allen said his ruling was based on a mental health evaluation that also found that Hallstrom is a risk to the public’s safety if he is placed in prison or on probation. The report was done by a psychologist who assessed the defendant at the Cache County Jail.

Once again, Hallstrom showed no emotion as Judge Allen explained his ruling. He only whispered to his attorney and shook his head, when asked if he had any questions about what was taking place.

Hallstrom previously pleaded guilty but mentally ill, to first-degree murder in the stabbing death Calvin Hallstrom.

On the afternoon of April 28, police were called to Hallstrom’s Smithfield home near 160 South 380 East. When they arrived, they found Calvin lying at the entrance of the driveway, unconscious and bleeding heavily from the neck. He was transported by ambulance to Cache Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Prosecutors believe on the night of Calvin’s death, Shane had intentionally invited his estranged father over to visit with him. He had hidden a knife in his pocket, and as the two walked down the driveway, Shane pulled out the knife and stabbed Calvin in the neck.

Officers later searched the home and found a three-inch long paring knife.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Judge Kevin Allen said he appreciated Hallstrom’s cooperation with evaluation process. He scheduled sentencing for March 14, when he will likely order the defendant to serve out his sentence at the State Hospital. The length of the sentence could be up to life.

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