Former seminary principal Michael Pratt hires new attorneys

AMERICAN FORK — A former seminary principal accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student has hired private attorneys, who are attempting to have his trial postponed.

Michael Pratt, 37, the former principal of Lone Peak High School's LDS seminary program, faces 15 felony charges, including forcible sodomy, object rape, rape and forcible sex abuse. He has retained Salt Lake lawyers Stephen McCaughey and Jeremy Delicino.

The trial in 4th District Court is set to start April 12. Pratt's public defenders had argued they would not have time to adequately prepare. His new attorneys are saying the same thing.

"We think it would compromise his defense and hinder us from being completely prepared if the trial goes forward at that date," Delicino said.

At a hearing last month, the girl's father urged Judge Christine Johnson not to delay the trial. The judge ordered it to go forward on schedule, but a similar hearing with the new defense attorneys is now set for next Tuesday.

Arguments are also scheduled March 23 on motions regarding the admissibility of out-of-court statements made by Pratt's wife and a note that was found in his car.

The girl, now 17, has said Pratt took her out of school for sexual encounters throughout Utah County. The LDS Church fired Pratt after he was arrested last July.

— Paul Koepp