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(AP file photo) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A judge has canceled a scheduled hearing on a request for a speedy trial from polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs.
Fifth District Court Judge James Shumate's order Wednesday canceling the Aug. 23 hearing was in response to a joint request from Washington County prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Jeffs is the 54-year-old head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, a southern Utah-based church that practices polygamy. His 2007 convictions on accomplice to rape charges were overturned on appeal by the Utah Supreme Court last month.
Prosecutors have not said they would retry Jeffs, but his attorneys sought the speedy trial hearing. It's unclear when it might be rescheduled.
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has said his office will ask justices for a rehearing of the appeal.
Texas authorities have charged Jeffs with bigamy, aggravated sexual assault and assault based on alleged incidents with underage girls at a church ranch near Eldorado, Texas. The information that led to the charges was gleaned from church and family records seized during a raid on the Yearning for Zion ranch in 2008.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a warrant for Jeffs extradition to Texas, but Jeffs attorneys have said they will fight extradition. Jeffs remained in the Utah State Prison on Wednesday.
Shurtleff has said Utah authorities have decided to let Texas prosecute Jeffs before attempting to try him again.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
