Salt Lake City, USA - An Arizona judge has recused himself from the trial of Randolph J. Barlow, who faces two sexual assault charges related to a "spiritual marriage" to a 16-year-old girl.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge James E. Chavez gave no explanation. Presiding criminal judge Steven F. Conn has not yet reassigned Barlow's case.
A Mohave County grand jury indicted Barlow and seven other men, charging sex crimes, last summer. All are residents of Colorado City and members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamous sect in the Arizona Strip led by fugitive prophet Warren Jeffs.
Randolph J. Barlow faces assault charges because he allegedly forced the girl to engage in sexual intercourse; his trial is scheduled for June 5.
The grand jury also charged Jeffs with sexual misconduct and conspiracy because he allegedly ordered the girl to join Barlow as his plural wife and thus facilitated her attack. He is wanted by the FBI for fleeing prosecution in the case. Last week, Utah authorities charged Jeffs with two first-degree felony counts of rape for allegedly arranging the "spiritual marriage" of another teen.