PROVO — A judge ruled Tuesday there is enough evidence to force two men to stand trial for the murder of Kiplyn Davis.
Fourth District Judge Lynn Davis made the ruling even after noting the lack of forensic evidence linking Timmy Brent Olsen and Christopher Jeppson to her death.
Davis said Utah County prosecutors had reached the lowest standard of evidence during the preliminary hearing.
"We have before the court ... no witness of any abduction ... no eye witness of any foul play," Davis said. "This case is primarily circumstantial."
However, Judge Davis indicated that the standard required at a preliminary hearing requires him to give every reasonable inference to the state prosecutors — and he emphasized the word "reasonable."
Kiplyn Davis disappeared from Spanish Fork High School on May 2, 1995. Her body has never been found.
Richard Davis, Kiplyn's father, said he was encouraged with the outcome and appreciates all the support from family and friends.
"We're thankful for what's happened," he said. "Now we have a chance to go before a jury and (hopefully) someone will tell us where she is."
Jeppson's defense attorney Scott C. Williams said that he, too, was pleased with the outcome, and called it a success, especially considering the numerous discrepancies in testimonies from the state's witnesses, a fact Judge Davis also acknowledged.
"This is the most interesting case I've ever had, in terms of changed stories and inconsistencies," Judge Davis said.
During the preliminary hearing, several witnesses got tangled up in their words on the stand and had to defer to transcripts of previous interviews.
Both men entered not guilty pleas and a status conference was set for Jan. 30.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com