Prosecutor: 'Significant' progress made in Ethan Stacy murder case

Farmington •Defense and prosecutors continue to discuss a possible plea deal in the case of Nathan Sloop, 33, accused of aggravated murder in connection with the 2010 death of his stepson, Ethan Stacy.

Sloop, 33, appeared Tuesday in 2nd District Court, where Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings said "significant progress" is being made in the case and that he expects things to move quickly in months ahead.

Sloop's next court date is Dec. 11. Sloop's attorney, Richard Mauro, said both sides have engaged in plea talks, but no deal has been reached. He declined to elaborate on other legal issues that need to be addressed between now and December.

Sloop's wife, Stephanie Sloop, 29, is also charged with aggravated murder in Ethan's death. She is scheduled to next appear in court on Oct. 16.

Charging documents allege the Layton couple engaged in multiple acts of "severe abuse" between April 29 and May 8 in 2010, which led to Ethan's death, including "beatings, burning, drugging, isolating, malnourishing, leaving the child alone and unattended while suffering, and refusing to seek vital life-sustaining medical attention."

Nathan Sloop pleaded not guilty to the charges in July. Sloop's attorneys agreed to give prosecutors an extension to the 60-day deadline from arraignment to file notice of intent to seek the death penalty. Prosecutors now have until Dec. 14 to file that notice.

afalk@sltrib.com