Nielsen gets life, no parole

LOGAN — Jurors spared Cody Lynn Nielsen's life Wednesday, just hours after they heard from the convicted murderer for the first time.

The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated just 2 1/2 hours before returning their verdict of life in prison without parole. Jurors could have sentenced Nielsen to death or life in prison with the possibility of parole for the June 2000 murder of 15-year-old Trisha Ann Autry.

Nielsen made an emotional 25-minute statement Wednesday afternoon, minutes before his defense attorneys pleaded with jurors not to send the 31-year-old Hyrum man to his death.

"Never in my life have I intentionally caused the death of another, nor would I," Nielsen told jurors.

Nielsen did not ask the jury to spare his life. Instead, he essentially asked them not to consider the sentence they ultimately handed down.

"I ask that you find there is good in me and that you believe with time and the counseling that I need I can return to society and be a part of it," he said.

"I ask that if you find there is no good, and I'm sorry for my family for saying this, that I be sentenced to death."

Nielsen also apologized to Autry's family, but the words provided little solace to JoAnn Autry, Trisha's mother.

After the verdict was returned, the teen's mother said she didn't believe Nielsen has come to terms with his actions.

With last week's guilty verdicts and Wednesday night's sentence, JoAnn Autry said, the entire community is safe again.

"The winners truly are the children. The 15-year-olds who can walk the streets. I can walk unafraid because this predator is off the streets."

JoAnn Autry said her faith has sustained her since her daughter disappeared on June 24, 2000. She said she takes comfort knowing Trisha is with her father, who passed away in April 2001, and knowing Trisha Autry left a lasting legacy.

"My dear daughter did make a difference in this world," JoAnn Autry said. "She took Cody Nielsen off the streets at a terrible price."

Special prosecutor Scott Wyatt also praised the jury's decision Wednesday night.

"Our goal was to make sure we protected the community from him in the future, and we achieved that goal," Wyatt said.