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Sam Penrod ReportingThe man accused of murdering Spanish Fork teenager Kiplyn Davis had a court hearing today, the first since being charged with murder.
Timmy Brent OIsen was not in court in Provo today, but attorneys held discussions about his right to an attorney in the murder case. And, a judge assigned to the case announced he was recusing himself, because at one time, he was acquainted with Kiplyn's family.
Timmy Olsen was arrested back in September after being indicted by a grand jury for lying under oath about what he knows in Kiplyn's disappearance. On January 19th, Olsen was charged with murder. Today arguments were made over whether Olsen needs legal counsel right now in the murder case.
Olsen was not present because he remains in federal custody; however, the public defenders in Utah County believe he needs an attorney in this case now. Prosecutors disagree the motion, saying the murder case against Olsen will not begin until he is turned over by federal authorities.
Sherry Ragan, Prosecutor: "It ought to be stricken until he can be here and make that request himself. And the public defenders don't have any standing, basically, to make that request on his behalf, if he hasn't communicated with them."
Last week, Utah County prosecutors filed an evidence statement, detailing numerous admissions to friends and others by Olsen that he raped, killed and buried Kiplyn Davis back in May of 1995, while both of them were in high school.
For Kiplyn's parents, today's hearing is yet another step in what they hope will mean justice in their daughter's death, but more importantly brings the discovery of her body closer.
