Hearing set next week in kidnapped bride case

PROVO — An evidentiary hearing was quickly scheduled for next week in the high-profile case of a mother and father charged with kidnapping their daughter the day before her wedding.

Lemuel and Julia Redd appeared in 4th District Court Thursday afternoon, along with their new attorney, Rhome Zabriskie, to schedule a time for a preliminary or evidentiary hearing.

The couple's former attorney was Greg Skordas of Salt Lake City.

The Monticello couple are charged with first-degree felony kidnapping, accused of driving their 21-year-old daughter, Julianna, against her will to Grand Junction, Colo., on pretense that they were taking her shopping — causing her to miss her Aug. 5 wedding to 23-year-old Perry Myers.

The case has attracted national media attention, and the court hearing Thursday was only slightly less of a media frenzy than the couple's first appearance in court nearly a month ago, where cameras filled the hallways.

Zabriskie said he was hired Wednesday by the Redds for "personal reasons" and is still reviewing police reports. He asked for the soonest setting to keep the case progressing.

"We'd be ready to go today," he said. He said they feel very confident about their case. The preliminary hearing will take place Dec. 6.

In response to questions about potential plea deals or arrangements, Zabriskie said he hasn't had any conversations with Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson.

"I think we want to see where the evidence takes us," Zabriskie said.

Bryson said he would need to speak with Julianna Redd Myers, who would probably be his sole witness.

Myers and her husband are both students at Brigham Young University and were married shortly after the Redds brought their daughter back to Utah.

Bryson asked 4th District Judge James Taylor for a special setting, so the case could be heard at 2 p.m., in an attempt to avoid the lineup that happens with daily court calenders.

"I'm going to be very understanding of the state's position, (because of the) very quick setting and (potential) problems with witnesses," Taylor said.

Debbie Myers, Perry Myers' aunt, came to court and said she was slightly confused at how quickly the hearing was dealt with. However, she said the young couple are doing fine and are "so much in love."

"We love Julianna," she said. "She's great. We're just sorry she had to deal with this."

Julianna Redd Myers was returned to Utah later the next day after she convinced her parents she wouldn't marry her fiance if they took her back.

Perry Myers got worried when she didn't show up for a family dinner that night and called police.

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com