Judge Keeps Aruba Suspects In Jail

Says There Is Enough Evidence To Hold Them On Suspicion Of Murder

(CBS/AP)  An Aruban judge ruled Wednesday there was sufficient cause to continue holding two former hotel security guards arrested earlier this week in connection with the disappearance of an Alabama honors student.

Judge J.S. Kuiperdal decided that authorities may hold suspects Nick John, 30, and Abraham Jones, 28, while prosecutors investigate them on suspicion of first- and second-degree murder and capital kidnapping, said their respective court-appointed defense lawyers, Noraina Pietersz and Chris Lejuez. Capital kidnapping is a charge brought when an abduction victim is killed. The two suspects have not been formally charged.

Attorney General Caren Janssen confirmed the judge's decision in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

"They are accused of, first of all, murder. Conspiracy to commit murder homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide and capital kidnapping," Lejeuz said Wednesday on CBS News' The Early Show.

Both suspects, whom he initially represented, told Lejeuz "they've never seen Natalee Holloway, and they've never spoken to Natalee Holloway," he told co-anchor Hannah Storm.

The suspects were first identified publicly Wednesday by friends and relatives. Pietersz and Lejuez confirmed their identities following the judge's closed-door hearing, which took place at a police station where the men are jailed, outside the capital of Oranjestad.

The former security guards worked for a hotel two blocks from the Holiday Inn where 18-year-old Natalee Holloway had been staying. Their work contracts had expired on May 29, one day before Holloway disappeared, said authorities close to the case who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Investigators have not found any solid proof of Holloway's death, however, despite extensive land and water searches, which continued Wednesday. Holloway's parents were holding out hope that she was still alive.