Plea deal gives light sentence to FLDS man accused of rape
 
Reported by: Brent Hunsaker
ABC 4 News
Allen Steed

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Allen Steed was accused of raping his 14-year old cousin who was also his wife – given to him in a forced marriage by FLDS prophet, Warren Jeffs.

Under an agreement with Washington County prosecutors, on Friday Steed pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of Solemnizing a prohibited marriage, a 3rd degree felony. He will spend 30 days in jail and 36-months on probation. Also, a 2nd charge of unlawful sexual activity with a minor will go away if he stays out of trouble during his probation.

Among those present in the 5th District courthouse for the announcing of the plea deal was Steed’s victim, Elissa Wall. After the hearing, Wall said, "Allen will never truly understand the magnitude of the scars that I will carry for the rest of my life."

A decade ago, as a 14 year old girl living in the FLDS polygamist society, Warren Jeffs forced Elissa Wall into the marriage with Steed. Though she says she rejected his sexual advances and begged Jeffs to be released from the marriage, Wall said Steed eventually raped her.

That allegation became the basis for Utah's case against Jeffs. He was charged in Washington County with two counts of being an accomplice to rape.

Steed testified for the defense at trial refusing to take the 5th. His testimony would end up strengthening the rape case that would later be filed against him.

The way Steed sees it, he willingly fell on his sword for his prophet. Through his attorney, Jim Bradshaw, he indicated Friday he had no regrets about his testimony then or his plea deal now. "It’s a fair resolution of a tough case from a lot of different perspectives," Bradshaw told reporters.

Elissa Wall also was satisfied with the outcome. "Mercy and justice have to walk hand in hand," she said. "I feel like we have accomplished that today."

Wall continues to believe that the real villain was not Steed, but Jeffs. "I do believe in many ways that Allen is a victim of Warren and his power and his control," just as she was a victim.

In 2007, Jeffs was convicted by a jury on two counts of accomplice to rape and given the maximum sentence. However, last summer the Utah Supreme Court overturned that conviction and ordered a new trial. Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap said he has not yet decided whether to try Jeffs again.

When asked what she wants, Elissa Wall was diplomatic, "I am in support of what the state decides to do. I am sure he will get what he deserves."

Belnap will have plenty of time to consider his options for a retrial. Jeffs isn’t even in Utah. He’s in Texas awaiting trial on other charges of sexual abuse of a child and bigamy. His Texas trial isn’t scheduled until July.
 
ABC4.com
Originally broadcast February 18, 2011
 
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