One judge to hear most claims in Kingston dispute

Only one judge will hear all but a handful of the claims and counterclaims in a lawsuit brought by an underage polygamous "wife" against members of the Kingston family known as the Order.

Third District Judge Frank Noel ruled Friday that a second action brought by the young woman should be dismissed and that any claims within that action would more appropriately be heard by 3rd District Judge William Barrett, who is handling the original case.

Mary Ann Kingston sued the clan in 2003, alleging that she was sexually abused by her uncle, Daniel Ortell Kingston, after being pressured into a polygamous marriage with him, and that she was physically abused by her father, John Daniel Kingston, who belt-whipped her until she was unconscious because she had run away.

Both men were prosecuted and there were convictions in both cases. Her father served time in jail, her uncle served time in prison, and both men are free now.

Mary Ann Kingston sued for $110 million and named 242 family members and 96 businesses she said were associated with the Order. She contends that members of the Kingston family knew about the abuse she suffered but did not prevent or report it.

But after she and her lawyers held a press conference, a few members of the Kingston family struck back with defamation lawsuits of their own. Some have been dismissed, others are pending.

Mary Ann Kingston's lawyers in turn filed another legal action of their own, asking Noel for a declaration that there had been no defamation. The Kingston family responded with a motion to dismiss that action, which the judge ruled on Friday.

Douglas White, one of Mary Ann Kingston's lawyers, said before court that she has no intention of settling the lawsuit.

"I think she deserves some type of compensation for what she's been through," White told KSL Newsradio 1160. "I think she sees the big picture. I think that there's a genuine belief that there ought to be some punitive action here to stop this for future children."

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com