2 accused of killing man during robbery will face trial

SALT LAKE CITY — Two men accused of shooting and killing a man during a robbery last February are headed to trial.

Judge Robin Reese bound over Jason James Davis, 36, and Chad Duran Nester, 24, following a preliminary hearing Thursday in 3rd District Court.

The men face felony murder, robbery, burglary, obstruction of justice and firearms charges stemming from the Feb. 22 shooting death of Steven Villiard at his South Salt Lake home.

Davis and Nester walked inside the home through an open door and demanded money and drugs from the 64-year-old Villiard, said Sarah Hensley, a neighbor who was inside the home at 73 E. Claybourne Ave. (3770 South) at the time.

After an argument, Hensley said Villiard yelled "shoot me" and then "stepped back to cock back (a baseball bat), and Jason shot him."

As Villiard lay dying on the floor, Hensley said Davis pointed the gun in her face and said, "You're next, girlie." The man took some money from her hand and left.

Later that day, Davis' longtime friend Duane Littlefield said Davis and Nester showed up at a Main Street motel where Littlefield was staying.

Littlefield said Davis showered while Nester wrapped the revolver in electrical tape. The gun was placed in a bag and, unbeknownst to Littlefield, left in his trash. Littlefield said Davis told him the two had just "taxed" somebody, which Littlefield said meant to simply collect a debt.

"I never knew him to be violent except when he had to go tax somebody," he said.

Davis is currently being held in the Salt Lake County Jail. Nester is being held in the Utah State Prison.

The men will have arraignment hearings in 3rd District Court on Aug. 27.

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com