Prosecutors dismiss stolen-sign case

The case against a Grantsville man accused of stealing a campaign sign in 2005 was dismissed Tuesday after prosecutors decided it just wasn't worth it to pursue it.

"We didn't think that a case that is now 2 1/2 years old warranted further taxpayer resources," said Tooele County Attorney Douglas Hogan. "So much time had elapsed that I didn't see the point in continuing the trial."

In March, Dennis McBride was convicted of stealing one of Grantsville Mayor Byron Anderson's campaign signs during the November 2005 election.

He was given a suspended six-month jail sentence and nine months of probation.

His appeal of the conviction was set to begin in 3rd District Court in Tooele earlier this week, but Hogan and his staff decided not to continue prosecuting the case.

"I feel really good about it. I'm really happy," McBride said. "Grantsville City should be ashamed of itself."

Anderson advised Hogan not to pursue the case. Anderson was the victim of the theft and won the election anyway, Hogan said.

Hogan said his office's decision not to prosecute was not a statement about whether he believed McBride actually had taken the sign.

McBride has repeatedly said Grantsville prosecutors only pursued the case because of personal grudges against him.

"I would call it malicious prosecution by Grantsville. They were targeting me," he said. "It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of."

McBride also said Grantsville police have been harassing him and following him around because of personal disputes. Grantsville Police Chief Danny Johnson and City Attorney Ronald Elton denied those claims.

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Contributing: Jared Page

E-mail: dfelix@desnews.com