LOGAN — The man accused of killing a Hyrum teen and dismembering her body may also be tried on kidnapping and sex-abuse charges involving the girl.
First District Judge Clint Judkins ruled at a preliminary hearing Wednesday that enough evidence existed for Cody Lynn Nielsen to face trial on charges of aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping and forcible sex abuse. Nielsen is already charged with capital murder and desecration of a human body in connection with the death of 15-year-old Trisha Autry.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges Sept. 15 in Logan.
According to earlier court transcripts, Nielsen admitted in a Jan. 20 interview with sheriff's investigators that he had touched Autry.
Prosecutor George Daines argued that Autry did not consent to any sex acts with Nielsen. Nielsen has allegedly admitted to enticing Autry and taking her to an enclosed structure behind locked gates where he had previously had sex with other girls.
But defense attorney Shannon Demler said nothing in court transcripts indicated Autry didn't go willingly.
Nielsen did not force her into his truck, according to the interview transcripts.
"If you want to do something, jump in," Nielsen said he told Autry.
Afterward, according to transcripts, Nielsen and Autry drove to the National Wildlife Research Center in nearby Millville, which houses a coyote research project and where Nielsen was employed.
The state maintains Nielsen killed Autry, buried her body, dug it up twice and burned it between June and October 2000. In 2001, searchers looking for Autry's body found a jawbone buried 10 feet underground that matched her dental records.
Daines also introduced statements from Nielsen that he twice dug up Autry's body after burying her.
Nielsen, in audiotaped and videotaped interviews Jan. 20 and Jan. 22, told sheriff's interviewers, "I dug her back up, put it in a box and put it in the fire."
Nielsen is currently incarcerated for unrelated offenses.
E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com