Attorneys in polygamy rape case seek dismissal of charge

ST. GEORGE — Attorneys for Allen Glade Steed are seeking a dismissal of the first-degree felony rape charge filed against him and a change of venue, arguing the potential jury pool is irreparably tainted following the recent trial and conviction of Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs in St. George.

Steed was charged with rape the day after Jeffs was convicted of being an accomplice to rape for his role in conducting a 2001 spiritual marriage between then 19-year-old Steed and an unwilling 14-year-old cousin, Elissa Wall.

Jeffs was found guilty of two counts of rape as an accomplice and is to be sentenced on Tuesday. He could receive up to life in prison on each count.

In the motion for a change of venue, Steed's Salt Lake City attorneys, Jim Bradshaw and Mark Moffat, note that the state chose to charge Jeffs as an accomplice to rape and pursue his conviction before charging Steed with a crime.

"Since the prosecution strategically decided they would conduct the high-profile trial of the accomplice before leveling charges at Mr. Steed, they now must live with the consequences of their plan, including the reality that empaneling a fair and impartial jury in southern Utah is an impossibility," according to the motion filed Wednesday in 5th District Court.

Washington County deputy attorney Brian Filter said Thursday that while he could not discuss specifics of the case, the state has always maintained its approach has been fair to all concerned.

"We just saw these documents yesterday, and it will take some time to review the case law they've cited," said Filter, who is tasked with prosecuting the case against Steed. The state's reply likely won't be ready until early next week, he added.

In a separate motion, Steed's attorneys asked 5th District Judge G. Rand Beacham to dismiss the case, arguing the state's calculated delay in charging Steed violated his state and federal constitutional rights to a fair trial.

Wall first filed a civil case seeking unspecified damages against Jeffs and the financial arm of the FLDS Church before speaking with law enforcement. In that civil case, Wall accuses Jeffs and Steed of entering into a conspiracy and acting in concert to commit battery and sexual abuse against her.