Utah plea hearing derailed when Burmese refugee denies guilt in girl’s 2008 slaying

Utah refugee backs out of plea for girl’s slaying

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah plea hearing was derailed when a Burmese refugee charged with the March 2008 slaying of a 7-year-old girl denied his guilt.

When his attorney told the judge on Friday that a resolution in the case had been reached, Esar Met shook his head to the contrary and said he was forced by authorities to say he killed Hser Ner Moo (SER NAH MOO).

Met is charged with killing the girl at his Salt Lake City apartment.

Her family traveled from Marshalltown, Iowa, for Friday’s hearing after being told Met would plead guilty and be sentenced.

After Met’s denial of guilt, a status hearing was set for July 9.

Met is a native of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, which also is the home country of the victim’s family.

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, www.sltrib.com

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah plea hearing was derailed when a Burmese refugee charged with the March 2008 slaying of a 7-year-old girl denied his guilt.

When his attorney told the judge on Friday that a resolution in the case had been reached, Esar Met shook his head to the contrary and said he was forced by authorities to say he killed Hser Ner Moo (SER NAH MOO).

Met is charged with killing the girl at his Salt Lake City apartment.

Her family traveled from Iowa for Friday’s hearing after being told Met would plead guilty and be sentenced.

After Met’s denial of guilt, a status hearing was set for July 9.

Met is a native of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, which also is the home country of the victim’s family.

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, www.sltrib.com