Albuquerque, USA - The New Mexico attorney general's office says it will appeal a ruling that tossed out the sexual misconduct convictions of religious sect leader Wayne Bent.
The Court of Appeals last week ruled a grand jury's term had expired months before it returned an indictment against Bent and that a district judge didn't have the power to extend its term. A three-judge panel of the court sent the case back to district court and ordered the 70-year-old Bent released from custody.
Attorney General Gary King's office told the Albuquerque Journal\ it will appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.
Bent was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2008 for criminal sexual contact with two of teenage followers. His attorney is seeking his release after last week's ruling.