February trial set for Cedar Rapids teen accused of fatally stabbing parents

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids teen accused fatally stabbing his parents with a knife and ax will stand trial Feb. 8 in Linn County District Court.

Ethan Alexander Orton, 17, is charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty Monday and a judge set his trial the next day.

Officers found Orton soaked in blood outside his home at 361 Carnaby Dr. NE on Oct. 14. A criminal complaint stated the teen admitted to killing his parents, Casey Arthur Orton, 42, and Misty Scott-Slade, 41, who were found inside. He stabbed both his parents. When he realized his mother was still alive, he used an ax, he said.

He told investigator that he killed them “to take charge of his life,” according to the complaint.

Cedar Rapids police received a 911 call about 2:10 a.m. regarding suspicious noises coming from the Orton house, the complaint stated. Officers found the teenager sitting outside, covered in “what appeared to be blood.” He admitted to killing them.

Casey and Misty both worked for McGrath Auto, general manager Gavin McGrath told The Gazette in October. Casey was a technician in the Chevyland department since 2018 and Misty started a few months ago in the company’s business development center.

McGrath said the couple moved from the Salt Lake area of Utah to Cedar Rapids about 4 1/2 years ago.

“Misty will be remembered for being precise and diligent in all that she did,” according to her obituary. “She was loved for her spontaneous sense of humor and her contagious laughter.

She loved to travel, gardening and spending time with her large family “who loved her deeply and will miss her dearly,” the obituary stated. Misty loved traveling, gardening and spending time with her very large family who loved her deeply and will miss her dearly.

Casey was always dedicated to his work, even from a young age, according to his obituary. He became an “extremely accomplished” auto technician who also had a “passion for mentoring younger aspiring technicians, which he did with great patience and dedication.”

He will be remembered as a “genuine, patient man who always put his family first,” the obituary stated.

Ethan Orton remains in jail under a $2 million cash-only bail. First-degree murder is a life sentence without parole, but because he is a juvenile, he would have the opportunity for parole.

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