Double-slaying suspect appears in court

CEDAR CITY — A suspect in a double slaying made his first appearance in court to face aggravated murder charges.

Martin Chris Nelson, 43, appeared in 5th District Court on Tuesday on charges of aggravated murder, a capital offense; and theft by receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony. Iron County prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty against Nelson for the deaths of Derek Davis and Chad Grijalva.

Court records indicate that Nelson was appointed a public defense attorney, as well as a lawyer specializing in capital cases. Nelson will face a preliminary hearing on March 10.

Nelson is accused of killing Davis and Grijalva when they went to collect on a debt at his Beryl home. Their bodies were found last year, buried underneath a shed.