Overturning Jeffs' conviction could affect other criminal cases
 
Ben Winslow
Fox 13 News
KSTU-TV
 
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Supreme Court's decision to overturn Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs' criminal convictions could impact a related case. Allen Steed was charged with rape shortly after Jeffs was convicted back in 2007.

While Tuesday's ruling overturning Jeffs' convictions of rape as an accomplice only directly impact the polygamist leader's case, Steed's lawyer told Fox 13 on Wednesday that as a practical matter, what happens to the FLDS leader may impact his case.

"If a prosecution moves forward, that obviously has an effect," Jim Bradshaw said. "If the state opts to dismiss against Mr. Jeffs, we're hoping that also has an impact in terms of how the state sees Mr. Steed."

At age 19, Steed was married to 14-year-old Elissa Wall in a ceremony performed by Jeffs in Nevada back in 2001. Wall alleges that Jeffs forced her into the marriage, and that she was sexually abused by her husband. She claims she went to Jeffs repeatedly, but he refused to let her out of the marriage.

A jury convicted Jeffs of rape as an accomplice in 2007, but his conviction was overturned by the Utah Supreme Court on Tuesday. The ruling said there were errors in jury instructions about lack of consent and the FLDS leader's intentions. The state's top court ordered a new trial for Jeffs, but prosecutors are unsure if they will be successful in getting a conviction a second time around.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he would consult with Washington County prosecutors about whether they should re-try Jeffs on the rape as an accomplice charges. On Wednesday, a judge in St. George's 5th District Court set an Aug. 18 hearing on a motion filed by Jeffs' attorneys for a speedy trial.

"Defendant, by and through his counsel, respectfully requests that he be granted his right to a speedy trial before a jury of his peers," defense attorney Wally Bugden wrote in the motion. "Defendant has been incarcerated for many months and on today's date the Utah Supreme Court reversed his convictions."

The Texas Attorney General's Office said Tuesday it would begin extradition proceedings against Jeffs. He faces bigamy and sexual assault charges there related to an alleged underage marriage. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah has a detainer against Jeffs stemming from his time as a fugitive on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.

Steed was charged shortly after Jeffs was convicted in 2007. Since then, his case has slowly moved through the legal process. Bradshaw has filed a motion to dismiss the case arguing that the statue of limitations has expired. It is awaiting a judge's ruling.

Steed had testified on behalf of Jeffs during his 2007 trial; his ex-wife was the prosecution's star witness. Deputy Washington County Attorney Brian Filter told Fox 13 on Wednesday that they were still proceeding with Steed's prosecution.

"The focus of the government has been on Mr. Jeffs and not Mr. Steed," Bradshaw said. "It's up to the prosecuting agency to make those decisions but I'm hopeful that if they do opt, or if there's a decision made not to pursue Mr. Jeffs' case, that a similar result would come to Mr. Steed."
 
fox13now.com
Originally broadcast July 28, 2010
 
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