Barlow's Trial Date Set
 
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Tri-State News Network
 
KINGMAN, AZ - It looks like Randolph Barlow will be the first in a group of men from Colorado City to be tried for alleged sex offenses involving underage women assigned as wives through the polygamy practicing Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).

Mohave County Superior Court Judge James Chavez has scheduled Barlow's trial in Kingman to begin March 10. Barlow, 31, is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Prosecutor Matt Smith said the victim, a ceremonial wife allegedly assigned to Barlow by FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, was 16 years old at the time of the alleged offenses in 2002. Jeffs, 49, remains a federal fugitive under local indictment for conspiracy in that his assignment of underage women to legally married adult men allegedly enabled them to be victimized. Bruce Griffen, the Flagstaff attorney representing more than a half dozen indicted Colorado City men, said Barlow's case could still be resolved through a plea agreement.

"There is some possibility still that there would be some solution short of trial," Griffen said during a February 15th hearing. He indicated that plea agreement discussions are ongoing.

Judge Chavez set a March 1st deadline for introduction of any proposed plea agreements.
 
Tri-State News Network
Originally published February 21, 2006
 
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