Religion to be used as defense for polygamists
 
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Tri-State News Network
 
KINGMAN, Ariz. - Freedom of religion will be offered as a defense for eight Colorado City polygamists who are indicted for alleged sex offenses involving their underage ceremonial wives. Bruce Griffen, the Flagstaff attorney representing the various defendants, made that clear during a pretrial hearing conducted from Kingman by telephone Monday.

"We will be filing some motions that go to the issue of religious freedom and that will go to the core of our defense," Griffen said. Mohave County attorney Matt Smith said a court ruling on the motion could resolve each of the pending cases.

The defendants are charged with illegal sexual conduct with underage minors assigned to them in ceremonial marriages recognized not by law but by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The leader of the church that endorses polygamy, Warren Jeffs, 49, has also been indicted for his alleged role in assigning the ceremonial wives to the already legally married men.

Jeffs remains a fugitive from justice, sought by the FBI.

Superior Court Judge Steven F. Conn set a December 16 deadline for Griffen to file pretrial defense motions in the six cases he's handling. Griffen has indicated he'll be filing similar motions in the superior court divisions that will be hearing the cases involving the other two defendants.
 
Tri-State News Network
Originally published November 1, 2005
 
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