ST. GEORGE — The Washington County Attorney’s Office announced Friday that it will not be seeking the death penalty in the upcoming case against Mia Bailey.
“After a careful review of the alleged facts involved, the Office is not seeking the death penalty in this tragic case,” a press release from the County Attorney’s Office stated.
The announcement accompanied news that the office had filed multiple felony charges against Bailey for the alleged murder of her parents, Joseph and Gail Bailey, along with other charges related to the incident.
The charges include nine first-degree felonies and one third-degree felony charge against Bailey: two counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, seven counts of felony discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated burglary.
The charges stem from an incident in Washington City last Tuesday that resulted in the death of her parents.
Bailey fled the area after allegedly shooting her parents and was reported to be “armed and dangerous” by the Washington City Police Department and other law agencies. She was found the next day in an area near Church Oak Drive and Stonedale Drive in St. George, where she eventually surrendered to police.
Court documents filed soon after Bailey’s arrest stated she entered her parents home Tuesday evening and shot her mother and father multiple times. She then attempted to shoot a sibling that was locked inside a room with his wife through the door.
According to a probable cause statement, after she was arrested and taken to jail, Bailey told police “she did not have remorse for her actions and that she would not change what she had done. Mia stated, ‘I would do it again. I hate them.’”
Bailey, who is transitioning from male to female, was granted by the court a legal gender and name change from Collin Bailey last August.
As the case is ongoing, the Washington County Attorney’s Office stated it will not be making additional statements at this time related to not seeking the death penalty.
The family of Joseph and Gail Bailey have set up an online fundraiser for funeral expenses at this link.
Ed. note: When making charitable contributions it is advisable to consult with professionals for tax advice and investment risks.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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