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AMERICAN FORK -- A judge Tuesday agreed to postpone the trial of Michael Pratt, the former LDS seminary principal accused of having a sexual relationship with a female student.
Pratt, 37, was scheduled to stand trial next month, but has now fired his attorney and hired a new one. He had previously been appointed a public defender, citing an inability to pay for his own lawyer.
The judge ruled the new counsel needed more time to prepare for the case. Stephen McCaughey told KSL the two-month continuance would be enough time for him to prepare for Pratt's defense at the trial.
The girl's father told KSL his daughter was not looking forward to the trial but wanted the truth about what happened to be heard.
Pratt was arrested in July 2009 after a then 16-year-old girl was confronted about her relationship with him by police. She later testified the two had sexual encounters on several occasions in May and June. Some of them occurred during school time, and she testified Pratt drove her to remote locations where the crimes took place.
Pratt was fired by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a principal and instructor when the allegations became public. He taught at the LDS seminary, adjacent to Lone Peak High School in Highland.
Pratt remains free on bail. The eight-day trial is now scheduled to begin on June 14.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
