There were initial rumblings that a civil lawsuit was on its way against the Orem police, but Allred, who has had several high-profile clients, including Amber Frey, the girlfriend of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, denied a suit was on file and emphasized that she flew in to support Perry.

"I ask the citizens of Orem, how many of you would like to have your great-grandmother taken from her home, with bruises and blood, and placed in handcuffs?" Allred asked, holding a rusty pair of shackles. "Let's bring sanity back to law enforcement and to Orem, Utah."

Provo-based attorney Paige Benjamin is handling the criminal case, which was set for a pre-trial conference Oct. 11 at 8 a.m.

"I look forward to having her case heard in court, to show that in fact this has been a case that has not been dealt with fairly," Benjamin said. "We're looking for a good, fair resolution."

Neither Benjamin nor Allred would explain what a fair resolution would mean, but said it's too early for discussions with Orem prosecutors.

Peterson said he is open to resolving the case appropriately.

"It seems to be that a lot of people in the community have rushed to judgement on both sides," he said. "That generates a great deal of controversy. What we would hope is that everyone in the community simply reserve judgement until all evidence is presented."

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com