Colter Peterson returns to court to discuss payment of Deserae Turner’s medical costs

Prison booking photo for Colter D. Peterson (Courtesy: Utah Department of Corrections).

LOGAN — For the first time since being given a maximum sentence for trying to kill Deserae Turner, Colter D. Peterson returned to the same courtroom as attorneys discussed how the former 19-year-old Smithfield man can begin paying restitution to the victim and her family.

Peterson, who is now serving the 15-years-to-life sentence in prison, appeared in 1st District Court Wednesday morning for the restitution hearing. He wore shackles and handcuffs while standing next to his public defender, Mike McGinnis, and two prison transport guards.

Judge Kevin Allen met briefly with attorneys for both sides in his chambers. He later explained that the hearing was being held to determine what could be done with $877 Peterson had accrued while serving in a juvenile detention center before he turned 18 and was transferred to prison.

McGinnis said they were in agreement that the money can be given to Turner and her family, who have amounted thousands of dollars in medical costs. The restitution is supposed to be shared with co-defendant Jayzon Decker, who was given the same maximum sentence.

Peterson spoke only briefly during Wednesday’s court appearance. He said he was doing good considering his circumstances, when Judge Allen asked him how he was doing.

In 2017, Peterson shot Turner in the back of the head with a .22 caliber revolver, while Decker acted as lookout. The defendants concocted the plan to kill her while playing video games and discussing their desire to “get rid” of her. They later lured her to a dry canal behind Sky View High School in Smithfield.

Turner was found with a gunshot wound to the head early in the morning of February 17, and had been left in the dry canal bed to die. She was hospitalized for over two-months and suffers from long-term physical disabilities from the shooting.


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16 Comments

  • Cathy September 4, 2019 at 2:23 pm Reply

    Try MILLIONS of dollars in medical!

  • Gail L September 4, 2019 at 2:52 pm Reply

    Oh my goodness wouldn’t it just be a given that she gets the money seriously but I could see that it’s a insult to the family. Make those 2 conniving brats work while in prison and get 50% of what they make and believe me it’s hardly nothing. But it would be less for them to spend

  • Jo September 4, 2019 at 3:03 pm Reply

    That’s a insult to her as far as I’m concerned. I hope him and his family have to help with her medical bills. She’s a very strong girl and a inspiration to all of us. Wishing you nothing but the best ?❤️?❤️

  • Free Bird September 4, 2019 at 7:39 pm Reply

    I could give a damn how he is doing, what I am concerned about what exactly is he doing to pay for the medical bills for the girl he decided to be a chicken s–t and shoot her in the back of the head. As far as I am concerned, this person belongs nowhere on this earth! Put him in general population!

  • Brett Reynolds September 4, 2019 at 8:30 pm Reply

    This article says “thousands of dollars”. Her Facebook page says $1.3M

  • Bobo October 4, 2019 at 1:06 am Reply

    Hope these 2 are repeatedly raped in prison, multiple times a day until they feel emotionally and physically like a little girl, being used by every one around them for one thing. Giving head and getting bumfuqued. All day, every day..

  • Bobo October 4, 2019 at 1:08 am Reply

    Hope these guys are gang rapee daily, I hope their mouths can only form a huge “o” for the rest of their lives. Then once they get close to being released, someone shoot both of them in the back of the head.

  • Bada Bing October 6, 2019 at 8:58 pm Reply

    Why let these two live? Why?

  • Nick October 7, 2019 at 7:46 am Reply

    Why are the parents of Colter Peterson and Jayzon Decker liable for the restitution payments? These guys were juveniles when they commited the crime and were even sent to juvenile detention centers, so they should take the parents’ cars and houses as well as garnish a percentage of their wages until everything is paid off. They raised monsters… make them pay.

  • Diane October 7, 2019 at 12:20 pm Reply

    Deserae Turner & her family should forgive Colter Peterson and Jayzon Decker.

    Turner’s should also drop the restitution demand.

    Hasn’t the Amber Guyger Hug from Dallas taught ya’ll?

    Deserae should follow the example of Brendt Jean & hug them.

    • Rafa October 8, 2019 at 4:56 pm Reply

      Stupid-.-

    • Jean May 13, 2020 at 12:36 pm Reply

      Say that when you kid gets shot in the head. Easy to preach now, ain’t it? Seriously stfu. Like i said you can spout this bs once your child is shot like that and you pay $1.5 million to look after them.

    • Ca Courtnie January 20, 2021 at 10:14 am Reply

      You out of your mind?

    • Danielle July 13, 2022 at 5:46 pm Reply

      Wtf! Ethics Diane. You make no sense. Forgiveness for herself I understand but those two should rot in hell and every red cent that they earn should be paid to Des and her family. They are awful human beings that deserves whatever is coming to them.

  • Leo Johnson March 20, 2020 at 10:43 pm Reply

    You figure they will live long enough to get out of prison good luck ??

  • Danielle June 15, 2020 at 5:25 pm Reply

    These two boys should stay in prison for life.And work in prison to pay her family back 877.00 when her family has thousands of medical Bill’s,where is the logistic to that.

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