Ex-husband in Jeffs trial charged with rape

ST. GEORGE — Washington County prosecutors charged Allen Glade Steed, who testified for the defense in the rape as an accomplice trial of Warren Jeffs, with first-degree felony rape in 5th District Court today.

Judge Eric Ludlow signed an arrest warrant for Steed and set bail at $50,000 cash only.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Washington County Sheriff Deputy Jake Schultz, the single rape charge stems from testimony Steed and his former wife, Elissa Wall, gave during Jeffs' recently completed trial.

Jeffs was found guilty on Tuesday of two first-degree felony counts of rape as an accomplice and faces a Nov. 20 sentencing date. He could get up to life in prison on each count.

Steed testified he never had nonconsensual sex with Wall during their marriage. Wall was 14 years old, while Steed was 19, on the day of the 2001 wedding conducted by Jeffs.

Before Steed began testifying, Jeffs' attorney, Wally Bugden, advised him of his right against self-incrimination. Steed's attorney, Jim Bradshaw, was in the courtroom during his testimony.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com

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