Charges against polygamist dropped
 
By Jim Seckler
Mohave Daily News
 
KINGMAN - Felony charges against one of eight Colorado City polygamists charged with sexual conduct with under age girls were dismissed in Superior Court Monday.

Terry Darger Barlow, 25, was charged with one count of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. His trial was set to begin Nov. 14.

Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith dismissed the charges against Barlow because defense attorney Bruce Griffen could prove that Barlow and the victim were not living in Arizona at the time of the alleged crimes.

Also on Monday, the trial for Vergel Bryce Jessop, 46, charged with one count of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor was postponed until Dec. 5. His trial was to begin next week.

Superior Court Judge Steven Conn also denied Monday a motion to stay another codefendant's jail sentence.

Kelly Fischer, 39, was the first codefendant to be tried and convicted of one count of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor.

Fischer was sentenced to probation and 45 days in county jail. He has until Monday to report to county jail. His attorney filed a motion to delay when Fischer has to report to jail until his sentenced is reviewed by the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Conn said he gave Fischer plenty of time after his sentence to report to jail. Griffen also asked if Fischer could serve his sentence in St. George Utah, but Conn denied that as well.

Jessop, Fischer and Barlow are members of a controversial polygamist sect in Colorado City.

Another codefendant, David Romaine Bateman, 49, was found guilty last week of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. He will be sentenced Nov. 29 where he faces up to two years in prison for each charge or probation only.

Dale Evans Barlow's trial, set to begin today, was also postponed. Barlow, 48, is charged with one count of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor.

Last month, a Mohave County jury acquitted Donald Robert Barlow, 50, of one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

Randolph Barlow's trial was recently postponed when the victim refused to testify. Barlow, 33, is charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. His upcoming bench trial is also before Conn.

Rodney Holm, 40, a former Colorado City police officer, is charged with three counts of sexual conduct with a minor. His trial was also postponed.

The sect's leader, Warren Jeffs currently faces rape charges in Utah. He is also charged in Mohave County with five counts of sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor.
 
MohaveDailyNews.com
Originally published October 30, 2006
 
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