Trial date set in Spanish Fork girl's vanishing

Federal prosecutors said Thursday they are willing to call 70 witnesses to counter a Spanish Fork man's claims of denial to his involvement in the disappearance and apparent murder of 15-year-old Kiplyn Davis.

Timmy Brent Olsen, 28, appeared before U.S. District Judge Thomas Greene on Thursday to set a trial date. Last month, Olsen became the third man to be indicted on multiple counts of perjury before a grand jury in connection with Davis' disappearance from Spanish Fork High School on May 2, 1995.

Olsen is charged with 20 counts of lying to a grand jury. According to court transcripts, Olsen was brought before a grand jury in April and confronted with alleged statements he made to various people that he had taken Davis from school and drove her up a nearby canyon with another man and returned without her. At other times, Olsen allegedly told unnamed witnesses that he killed Davis. "I took her, I beat her and disposed of the body," one witness has said Olsen told him or her. Through questioning, grand jury transcripts show Olsen repeatedly denied ever making those statements.

However, federal prosecutors have said they have numerous witnesses ready to testify as to what they heard. Thursday, assistant U.S. District Attorney Richard Lambert asked the court to schedule at least three weeks for a trial, noting that they were prepared to call a total of 70 witnesses who could support the statements Olsen denies.

Outside of court, Lambert was unwilling to disclose the witnesses' identities or their association, but he did say they could testify as to what is alleged against Olsen.

Olsen's attorney, Stephen McCaughey, said there is a chance the case will not go to trial, adding Olsen is trying to negotiate a settlement with prosecutors.

Greene set a trial date of Jan. 9 to give attorneys time to either resolve the case or go through extensive discovery that consists of reports, tape recordings and transcripts.

Olsen's indictment comes after two other men were indicted for lying before a grand jury. Scott Brunson, 28, was indicted last April for denying allegations he arranged a false alibi with Olsen, claiming the two were roofing a shed together when Davis vanished. Brunson is on release pending trial in January.

Gary Blackmore, 25, was indicted in August for allegedly lying to an FBI agent about whether he and an unnamed person ever asked a third party for help in moving a female body.

Davis' parents, Richard and Tamara Davis, have said the three indictments may move authorities closer to finding their daughter's body.

Prosecutors have said they believe a conspiracy of secrecy has shrouded Davis' disappearance for more than 10 years and that there still remain individuals in Spanish Fork who — either by fear or threats — have yet to come forward with what they know. Davis' parents have pleaded publicly for people to come forward and help bring their family peace.

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