Yocom could not be reached for comment, but Democratic County Councilman Joe Hatch defended him. "They want their cake and eat it, too," Hatch said. "They get to do things that are political, and Yocom can't. If that means Yocom has to change to someone who isn't tainted by that constant, constant drumbeat (of criticism from Workman), so be it."

The move represents a sharp change of direction for the district attorney. In a press conference last week announcing the charges, Yocom said he had no plans to appoint an independent prosecutor.

"We do not feel ... there is a conflict, but if (Workman's attorneys) wish outside counsel, independent counsel, to be selected we will do so," he said.

Yocom's press release said a special prosecutor will be announced "as soon as final terms are agreed upon between the district attorney's office and the individual selected."

Former Davis County Attorney Loren Martin agrees with Skordas.

"Why in the world they would object to (a preliminary hearing ) I have no idea," he said. "It is unusual, absolutely."

He also disagreed with appointing a special prosecutor this far into the process. "If the charges have already been filed, I say that's absurd," he said.

In 3rd District Judge Robert Hilder's courtroom Monday morning, county prosecutor Jeff Hall said no special prosecutor had been appointed as yet but a meeting was under way at that moment discussing the matter.

Hilder advised Workman of the charges against her and declined to allow waiver of the preliminary hearing because the prosecution objected. He also set a roll call hearing for 2 p.m. today in the event a special prosecutor is appointed.

Hilder also said he would allow Workman, who is in the midst of her continuing re-election attempt, to travel outside Utah while she is under pre-trial supervision.

"I think we'll know where she is," he said.

Workman is charged with two counts of misuse of public monies — one second-degree and one third-degree felony. She is accused of diverting county health department funds to pay employees who worked at Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley and who were supervised by Workman's daughter.

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Contributing: Laura Hancock; E-mail: lindat@desnews.com; aedwards@desnews.com