No release for man in LDS temple shooting plot

A federal judge has refused to release a man accused of plotting a shooting rampage at an LDS temple in South Jordan.

Federal prosecutors fought U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Alba's decision to release Benjamin Speakman to a halfway house, claiming he was a danger to the community. In a ruling handed down late last week, U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball agreed.

"Not only did the defendant fantasize about deadly rampages, he amassed a significant arsenal of guns, knives and ammunition with which to carry out those rampages," Kimball wrote. "Defendant sought help before following through with his fantasies, which is fortunate. But he has a recent history of changing his medication dosage and not taking his medications."

Kimball ordered Speakman, 27, back into the custody of U.S. marshals pending his trial next month. He agreed to review his decision if Speakman is medically stabilized prior to trial.

Speakman has pleaded not guilty to a single count of possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun. Federal authorities said he showed up at Valley Mental Health's Midvale facility on Feb. 2, telling doctors and police that he planned to kill his wife, his mother-in-law and then storm the LDS Church's Jordan River Temple, shooting whoever got in his way as he went to the celestial room — where he planned to kill himself.

Police seized a number of guns from Speakman's car and home, including the shotgun, an AK-47, a 9 mm handgun and more than 200 rounds of ammunition.

Speakman told police he dropped out of school, lost his job and stopped taking prescription medications. He was committed to a hospital for nine days until federal authorities had him arrested.

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