Batemen's Polygamy Trial Starts Today
 
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Tri-State News Network
 
KINGMAN, AZ - The next in a series of trials involving Colorado City men prosecuted for allegedly having sex with underage church-assigned brides is scheduled today in Mohave County Superior Court in Kingman.

David Bateman, 49, is charged with sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. County Attorney Matt Smith said the victim was 16 or 17 years old when sexual relations with Bateman led to the birth of their child. Smith says authorities were unable to locate the victim and weren't certain she would cooperate in the prosecution of Batemen. Smith will use birth certificates in an effort to prove the young woman was underage at the time of sexual relations and to prove that the activity led to the birth of a child with she and Bateman listed as parents.

A second trial involving defendant Randy Barlow, 33, was postponed when the alleged victim, Candi Shapley, refused to answer questions on the witness stand. Shapley was found in contempt of court and was ordered confined for 30 days at a women's shelter in Kingman.

The third trial ended in favor of the defense when Donald Barlow, 50, was acquitted. Defense attorney Bruce Griffen said the not guilty verdicts were directly related to the state's inability to prove that sex occurred in Mohave County as opposed to Utah or elsewhere.
 
Tri-State News Network
Originally published October 23, 2006
 
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