Aaron Lowe murder suspect makes first appearance before a judge
Oct 15, 2021, 11:44 PM | Updated: Feb 3, 2023, 4:34 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — The man accused of killing University of Utah football player Aaron Lowe faced a judge for the first time Friday.
Buk Buk is being held without bail at the Salt Lake County Jail, where he’s been since his arrest on Oct. 3.
“Next on the docket is number eight on the docket — State vs. Buk Buk,” said the judge. “Is that you?”
“Yes, your Honor,” Buk replied.
Dressed in a yellow jail jumpsuit, Buk gave short answers to the judge.
“Is your birthday January 1, 1999?” the judge asked.
“On my record, yes,” said Buk.
That’s a date the KSL Investigators have uncovered is in question.
Buk Buk has mis-identified himself to authorities multiple times in the past and used several different birth dates.
A photo of a birth certificate from Sudan said he was born November 19, 2001 — that would make him 19 as of Friday’s hearing, not 22.
It’s created problems before, with Buk Buk facing charges in adult court when he may have been a juvenile.
But with either age today, he’s facing serious charges as an adult — charges that could come with the death penalty.
“You have two first-degree felonies and two second-degree felonies. Do you understand those charges in front of you?” the judge asked Buk.
“Yes, I do,” he replied.
Friday’s hearing lasted just over 90 seconds.
Buk was assigned an attorney and his next hearing was scheduled for next Friday morning.
