Animal-rights activist remains in Cache jail

An animal-rights activist jailed for contempt of court is apparently still refusing to testify before a federal grand jury presumably investigating a series of attacks on local mink farms.

Jordan Halliday, 21, is in the Cache County Jail — where he'll stay until he either testifies or the grand jury's term expires. He apparently refused to testify when called before the grand jury last week. Federal prosecutors declined to comment Monday on whether Halliday will be called before the secret panel again.

"They said, 'Let us know if he does change his mind.' He's not going to," Halliday's lawyer, James Mouritsen said Monday.

Mouritsen has filed an appeal on his client's behalf. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah declined to comment, citing rules about grand-jury secrecy.

Halliday was subpoenaed last month in connection with an investigation into raids on mink farms across the state. He refused to testify, leading to him being jailed for contempt.

Two other activists have been indicted: William James Viehl, 22, and Alex Jason Hall, 20, on charges of damage and interference with animal enterprises. They are accused of raiding mink farms in South Jordan and Hyrum, Cache County, last year.

The Animal Liberation Front, considered by the FBI to be a domestic terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Supporters have created a legal-defense fund for the men, soliciting donations on the Internet.

"This is very important, because we are trying to get Alex a 'good' lawyer, and it is going to cost us $10,000 minimum to retain one," they wrote in a posting on a MySpace page created to support the men. "It will really help him out."

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com