This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Defense attorneys for embattled GOP activist Gregory Peterson have asked a judge to reconsider her decision to increase the man's bail to $2 million as he awaits trial on rape and kidnapping charges.
In a motion filed Monday in 3rd District Court, defense attorney Gerald Salcido argued that he and fellow defense attorney Cara Tangaro were not given sufficient notice to prepare for a bail hearing.
At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing that saw the 37-year-old Peterson ordered to stand trial on multiple felony charges, Atherton asked Salt Lake County prosecutors if they wished to ask for a bail increase. When prosecutors said yes, Atherton boosted the bail amount despite objections from the defense.
At the time, Peterson was being held in the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $750,000 bail, and defense attorneys argued that no evidence was presented of a change in Peterson's situation.
Peterson's next scheduled court appearance is on Aug. 24, at which time he likely will enter pleas to 25 charges of assault, rape and kidnapping. Last week, a judge heard testimony from four women who claimed Peterson raped them during dates.
Peterson also faces a similar charge in Wasatch County.
Peterson is well known in Utah Republican circles, and has hosted events at a cabin in Heber, where prosecutors say some of the sexual assaults occurred.
Twitter: @aaronfalk