MANTI—After evaluation by a mental health professional, James Koyle, the man who provoked a huge police response in Mt. Pleasant on March 31 after he threatened four law enforcement officers, was released from jail on Wednesday, April 27.
A mental health counselor’s evaluation of Koyle determined that “he is safe enough to be released with an ankle monitor,” said Kevin Daniels, Sanpete County Attorney.
Under terms of the release, Koyle is required to stay off drugs and alcohol and to have no contact with five individuals named in court documents. Koyle was also placed under supervision of county probation officers.
In addition to providing GPS-based data, the ankle monitor Koyle will wear features new technology that can detect alcohol consumption from testing the chemical makeup of his sweat.
Koyle was arrested for threatening the lives of a Sanpete sheriff’s deputy and three state troopers in a text message. Because of Koyle’s history of violence, the arrest was carried out by the Utah State Bureau of Investigation and a SWAT team from Utah County.
In a court hearing last month, Judge Marvin Bagley directed that a therapist evaluate Koyle’s ability to stand trial. The defendant has a history of mental illness. He was found unfit to stand trial in some previous offenses that have been sealed by the courts.
Attorney Matthew Jube, who is representing Koyle, indicated in the hearing last month that Koyle has terminal cancer, but Daniels said he is not certain of Koyle’s medical status.
“There is mixed information,” Daniels said. “I am not confident that he has cancer.”
Koyle’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 25.
