Jan. 9, 2001--
The man who went hunting and left his little boy alone in his truck, told his story to a judge today.
Paul Wayment is charged with negligent homicide in the death of his 2-year-old son Gage.
News Specialist Jed Boal has the story from Summit County.
In late October, Paul Wayment was scouting for deer in the mountains east of Coalville.
Now he could go to jail for a year charged with negligent homicide in Gage's death.
Wayment told the judge he did not have a job or the money to pay for an attorney.
The judge appointed one, and Wayment pleaded not guilty.
The Summit County Attorney will not talk about specifics in the case.
Robert Adkins/Summit County Attorney: I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE. WE NEED TO WAIT TO TRIAL SEE WHAT COMES OUT, AND YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN DETERMINATION AT THAT POINT.
Wayment has not talked publicly about Gage's death. But his story to police never wavered.
Wayment said he left the boy in his truck in a car seat wearing pajamas, and went to scout for deer.
Two hunters saw the toddler and left.
When Wayment returned, Gage was gone.
For five days, searchers combed the area for Gage's body.
Then, a solo searcher found the boy's body partially covered with snow.
A medical exam showed he died of exposure.
Wayment told investigators "It's the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life and I should be skinned and shot for that."
The prosecutor will not speculate on whether the lawyers will settle the case before trial.
Robert Adkins/Summit County Attorney: I ALWAYS ANTICIPATE THAT EVERY CASE I FILE WILL HAVE TO GO TO TRIAL.
Jed Boal/Eyewitness News: WAYMENT'S ATTORNEY WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE CASE THAT HE'D JUST BEEN ASSIGNED. WAYMENT WILL RETURN TO THE COURT IN FEBRUARY FOR A PRE-TRIAL HEARING. AT THAT TIME WE SHOULD FIND OUT WHETHER WAYMENT PLANS TO FIGHT THESE CHARGES OR PLEAD GUILTY.
