Prosecutors send a stern message
 
By Mike Watkiss / 3TV reporter
KTVK Channel 3 - Phoenix
 
A very clear message was sent today as a judge passed down the stiffest sentence yet for one of the so-called Colorado City 8.

The criminal prosecution of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs may be grabbing all of the headlines in Utah, but it is certainly not the only location where this dramatic story continues to unfold.

On Monday in Kingman, one of Jeff's adult male followers was sent to prison by a crusading, gutsy attorney by the name of Matt Smith.

"Well I think the main message is leave the girls alone before they reach the age of 18," said Smith in a previous interview with 3TV.

Smith has been the single most effective and aggressive elected official in sending a message to the male followers of Jeffs.

It's a message he has delivered through his high-profile criminal prosecution of several of Jeffs' followers.

In October, David Romaine Bateman, 49, was found guilty of the crime of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor for taking a 17-year-old girl as a second wife when he was 44 years old and a father of 10.

And today Bateman was in a courthouse to learn his sentence.

The judge, Dave Chavez, received many letters from people saying that they thought Bateman was a good and decent man.

Bateman in the end was given nine months in prison and must register as a sex offender.
 
azfamily.com
Originally published December 18, 2006
 
Back