This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
What a surprise. Lyle Jeffs has absconded. Federal Court Judge Ted Stewart refused to heed the advice of involved law enforcement and prosecutorial staff that stated Jeffs was a significant flight risk.
Instead, Stewart pursued his liberal pretrial release policies, requiring only a promise and ankle monitor. Now the taxpayer gets to pay for the attempted apprehension of this mock apostle.
What type of justice is it to the remaining subordinate defendants that choose to honor their court obligations?
Jeffs should have been required to post sufficient surety to guarantee appearance or at least underwrite the cost of the search.
Gary Walton
South Jordan