Nielsen formally sentenced to life
Twelve days after a jury sentenced him to life in prison without parole, 1st District Judge Clint S. Judkins formally sentenced Cody Lynn Nielsen to life in prison, an additional one to 25 years and ordered him to pay $57,000 in fees.
Nielsen, who was convicted of murdering, kidnapping and desecrating the body of Trisha Ann Autry two weeks ago, entered the courtroom Monday in an orange jumpsuit and newly shaven head. He didn’t speak at the 20-minute hearing, but did freely look around the room for the first time since his trial began about four weeks ago.
“Mr. Nielsen, may God have mercy on your soul,” Judkins said to Nielsen at the close of the hearing.
Prosecuting attorney Tony Baird argued Nielsen’s prison terms should be served consecutively – not concurrently as defense attorney Shannon Demler argued.
“This case has left a lasting impression on the valley,” Baird told the judge.
Judkins agreed with Baird and sentenced the 31-year-old Hyrum man to no more than five years for desecrating the 15-year-old’s body in June 2000, one to 15 years for aggravated kidnapping and life in prison for aggravated capitol murder. Nielsen was also ordered to pay $5,000 for desecrating Autry’s body, $10,000 for kidnapping her and $42,000 to the Autry family in restitution.
Judkins read a letter from the 12 jury members and two alternates to the court Monday, in which the jurors said it had been a privilege to serve as jurors but challenging “emotionally, physically and even spiritually.” The jurors also acknowledged a newfound appreciation for the U.S. Constitution.
“We grieved for the victim and the victim’s family,” the letter read, but then indicated that near the conclusion of the trial they grieved for the defendant and his family.
Judkins complimented both the defense and prosecuting counsel’s job at presenting evidence, along with the jury’s commitment to the case. Several members of the jury sat in the audience during the sentence.
Nielsen’s attorneys say the defendant maintains he was with Autry when she died, but that it was accidental and he never cut her body up. Demler said the case will soon be appealed.
Prosecutors say Nielsen, who Autry’s family say stalked her before her death, kidnapped her the morning of June, 24, 2000, killed her during that day and cut her body up before burying the remains in a 20-foot deep pit in Millville.
-emilieholmes@cc.usu.edu