| County braces for invasion of media for Jeffs' coverage | |
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By Scott Nowling snowling@thespectrum.com | |
ST. GEORGE - Print and electronic media representatives from around the nation and possibly the world will begin descending on Washington County as Warren Jeffs, the infamous leader of a polygamous religious sect, arrives for trial. Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap said he and his staff are going in a thousand different directions. Details necessary for handling a high-profile case such as Jeffs' were worked out months ago. Belnap's office, the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the St. George Police Department will all have major roles in the preparation and execution of Jeffs' trial. "We are going to have a Web site where we will post our court filings and press releases," Belnap said. He added that his office would e-mail instructions on how to access the site to any media organization that requests it. "We will also have a regular, scheduled time when we will meet with the media as a group and answer questions," Belnap said. Belnap said Brian Filter has been designated as the public information officer for his office. "We've never had to have a PIO (public information officer) before," Belnap said during an afternoon press conference. "We're working hard to get up to speed." Security at the courthouse is handled by the bailiff staff, which is provided by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Belnap said. Lt. Jake Adams, public information officer for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said that a location still needs to be designated as a media center. "We will be designating a location in St. George for the media to meet with the agencies involved in the trial," Adams said. "We will select a site away from the courthouse." Adams said Belnap will handle all questions about the case and that the sheriff's office will answer questions about jail housing and transportation. The sheriff's office will continue to be in charge of the jail, he said. "We are taking extra precautions, not just for this situation but generally, to ensure inmate safety and security," Adams said. He anticipated that traffic will be a problem around the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane. "We have plans in place and we will be able to handle this," he said. The St. George Police Department will also have a pivotal role in the event. "We will work with the deputies at the courthouse to ensure that the courthouse is secure and that traffic runs smoothly and that we minimize parking issues," said Sgt. Craig Harding, public information officer for the St. George Police Department. "Sheriff (Kirk) Smith is in charge of security in the courthouse, but we will be handling traffic and parking around he courthouse and at the media location, wherever that turns out to be," Harding said. Harding encouraged residents to be patient and respectful to the visitors and suggested that everyone try to avoid the area around the courthouse if possible. "If you want to go to the courthouse, make sure you park appropriately," he said. St. George Police Chief Marlon Stratton said his department is ready to work with the onslaught of media that will arrive to cover the trial. "We expect a lot of people," he said. Details on when Jeffs will be transferred to Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane and when the trial will begin are still being worked out by Utah, Arizona, Nevada and federal authorities. "To my recollection, Washington County has never had a case as high-profile as this," Adams said. "I know we have never had anyone from the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list." | |
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TheSpectrum.com Originally published September 1, 2006 | |
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