Arizona: Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Polygamist

Phoenix, USA - An Arizona prosecutor has filed a motion to dismiss 2 of 10 charges against the polygamist sect leader Warren S. Jeffs. The Mohave County attorney, Matt Smith, filed a motion on March 10 to dismiss one charge of sexual conduct with a minor and one of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in a 2005 case. Those charges stem from the arranged marriage of a 16-year-old girl and her cousin, who was more than a decade older. In the motion, Mr. Smith says the girl has indicated through her lawyer that she will not testify against Mr. Jeffs. Mr. Jeffs, who was already prosecuted in Utah, is charged as an accomplice with incest and sexual conduct with a minor.