The man accused of killing a girl and then dumping her body in a ditch outside of Fielding in Box Elder County was charged Monday with aggravated murder.
Mark Jensen, 39, Hyrum, appeared Monday in 1st District Court in Brigham City where he was informed of the charge. He has been in custody since his arrest Oct. 13.
Aggravated murder is a capital offense, but Box Elder County Attorney John Bunderson said Monday it was too early to say whether he would seek the death penalty if Jensen is convicted.
Jensen is accused of shooting Jammie Richards, 17, in the head and dumping her body in a ditch near a church outside of Fielding.
Jensen's criminal history includes numerous convictions, including simple assault, DUI and being a fugitive from justice from another state. He was also charged in 1988 with rape, a first-degree felony, and burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony, but was later acquitted.
A judge Monday ordered Jensen continue to be held without bail. His next scheduled court hearing is Nov. 12.