Jeremy Best appears in court; document describes how murder victim was found
TETON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) - With no shirt on, Jeremy Best made his first appearance in court through a video conference Monday.
Best is charged with two counts of first degree murder for the death of his wife, Kali Randall Best, and her unborn child.
Best seemed agitated during the court hearing and came in shirtless.
Jim Archibald and John Malek were assigned as Best's defense attorneys and asked the Judge for a mental check on Best.
"Your Honor, me and Mr. Malik have met with Mr. Best. We believe that it's necessary under Idaho Code 18 to 11 that this court order a competency review. So we would ask that an order from this court be sent to the Department of Health and Welfare to conduct the mental competency review," Archibald said.
Best in response burst out saying, "That's not my lawyer!"
Judge Walker agreed to order a competency test to be conducted.
"As quickly as practical and return reported as to whether or not Mr. Best is in the condition and condition to (A) begin his own, defense and (B) understands the proceedings against him," Judge Walker said.
A Teton County Sheriff's affidavit describes what may have happened to Kali Best. The report said police were sent to the couple's home in Victor at 4600 Skyline Loop for a 911 hang-up call. Dispatch said, "There were loud sounds of yelling in the background of the phone call and then silence."
Deputies said when the recorded 911 call was played back, "a female can be heard repeating 'Jeremy' and 'Jeremy no'" in the background.
The document said a man was heard threatening to shoot the female, followed by, "I love you, I love you, I love you."
Deputies found Kali's body on the ground outside of Jeremy's Auto Repair shop door. It appeared she had been shot 3 times. The deputy tried CPR, but was unsuccessful.
The deputy reported he saw a black vehicle backing out of the driveway heading south on E 5000 S just before he arrived. They determined later Jeremy Best had taken their 10-month-old son.
The report also said Kali was 28 weeks pregnant.
The investigation continues surrounding the death of their 10-month-old son, Zeke. Zeke's body was found Saturday with Jeremy in the Bone area east of Idaho Falls. Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal said Zeke's death is being investigated as an "intentional homicide." An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
"Since any immediate threat to the public has been addressed, the prosecuting attorneys have time to determine the next steps in the legal process carefully," Neal wrote. "This discovery has impacted everyone involved in the investigation and are laser-focused on achieving a just consequence for the actions which led to “Baby Zeke’s” death."
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 18th at 9.30 a.m. following the results of the competency evaluation. Best is currently being held in the Bonneville County Jail following his arrest on Dec. 2. He is currently being held with no bail due to the nature of the charges against him.
