Judge OKs suit saying church stole wife
 
The Associated Press
Provo Daily Herald
 
ST. GEORGE (AP) -- A judge has denied motions to dismiss the lawsuit of a man who claims a polygamous church persuaded his wife and children to leave him.

Jason Miles Williams, 24, claims he was forced out of his Colorado City, Ariz., home last December.

He contends Rulon Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Jeffs' son, Warren, coerced his wife, Suzanne, to leave his family because "she had no chance of salvation if she were to remain married" to Williams.

Fifth District Judge James L. Shumate will to allow Williams' complaint to go forward, The Spectrum reported in a copyright story Thursday.

Williams seeks $10 million in damages for alienation of affection and intentional infliction of emotional distress. His wife has filed for divorce in Mohave County, Ariz., citing irreconcilable differences.

The lawsuit names others besides Jeffs, including his son, Warren Jeffs, a leader in the church, and Lester Johnson, the man Suzanne reportedly married.

Shumate on Monday dismissed the complaint against Suzanne Williams' father, Frank Jessop.

Chris Edwards, Williams' attorney, said his client does not want to divorce his wife, who lives in Hildale.

"His concern is he had a wonderful marriage, but pressures placed on her by the church caused her to do things she wouldn't have normally done," Edwards said.

Jeffs' attorneys say they haven't decided what to do next or whether they will appeal Shumate's ruling.

"We'll take it as it comes," said Rodney Parker. "We're going to very aggressively defend this (suit), because we believe it has no merit."
 
HarkTheHerald.com
Originally published August 20, 1999
 
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