PROVO — A Provo man will serve 20 years to life in prison for the violent death of his infant son.
Cameron Nielsen, 24, pleaded guilty last week to aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, after his defense attorney reached an agreement with prosecutors on a recommended sentence. Prosecutor Donna Kelly said the boy's family and 4th District Judge David Mortensen also approved the agreement.
The state Board of Pardons and Parole indicated that Nielsen's chances of getting out in less than 25 years are "very small," and that only 40 percent of people serving a prison sentence for aggravated murder are ever released, Kelly said.
"This crime was very violent," she said. "That's why we did not agree to reduce the (charge) at all."
One-month-old Jason Nielsen suffered head trauma, broken bones and a laceration to his liver before he was brought to Primary Children's Medical Center on May 11, 2008. The boy died five months later in foster care.
Cameron Nielsen first contended the injuries were caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He later told police he shook the infant and threw him into his crib, hitting his head on the railing.
Kelly said the mitigating factors — that Nielsen is young and had no prior criminal history — outweigh the aggravating factors that would support a harsher sentence or the death penalty.
Nielsen's sentencing is set for May 13.
— Paul Koepp