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(File photo)
SALT LAKE CITY -- More twists surfaced Monday in the court case of seven people accused of beating a neighbor they believed had kidnapped two children, including an unusual request for the judge and speculation over where the case would stand after the November election.
- July 10, 2008 -- Mother rescues children from suspected kidnapper
- Aug. 21, 2008 -- Kidnapping suspect will face trial
- Sept. 25, 2009 -- Bell found not guilty on all counts
- March 2, 2010 -- 7 people charged in beating of South Salt Lake men
- May 4, 2010 -- Attorney wants case against assault suspects dropped
- Aug. 17, 2010 -- DA defends decision to charge 7 in controversial case
- Sept. 24, 2010 -- Defense attorney in Fourth of July assault case wants charges dropped
- Oct. 14, 2010 -- Judge: Defendants in beating case not immune from prosecution
D.J. Bell has been blogging about what happened to him and his partner, Dan Fair, the night of July 4, 2008. Attorney Clayton Simms filed a motion asking that his client, defendant Lisa Aiono, be allowed to do the same.
"The judge said we couldn't blog because there was some concern about contact with the alleged victim," Simms said. "One of our motions is a motion simply to blog and communicate to the public our side of the story."
Simms filed another motion claiming by prosecuting Bell for kidnapping first, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office violated his client's right to a speedy trial.
In a written ruling last week, 3rd District Judge Robert Faust determined immunity was never offered to the defendants in the case. Attorneys for the defendants had claimed their clients were extended immunity to supply information against Bell, then that information was used to file charges against them. They were contemplating an appeal of the written ruling Monday.
Attorneys were asked if Salt Lake County Attorney Lohra Miller loses in her November election bid, whether that would change negotiations.
"That's speculative at this point in time," attorney Charles Bevan Corry said. "It's difficult to say what would happen if something happens, but I suppose that there would always be negotiations if there were someone else to negotiate with."
Simms downplayed the importance of whoever is the district attorney after Election Day.
"The case is weak no matter what," Simms said. "No matter who the DA is, the jury is going to find that there is nothing there - absolutely nothing there - so it doesn't matter if there's a new DA or not."
The seven defendants are due back in court Nov. 16.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
