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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Washington County prosecutors have asked a 5th District judge not to drop a rape charge filed against a man whose 2001 spiritual marriage was the basis for a criminal case against polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs.
Prosecutors charged Allen Steed with one felony count of rape in September 2007 -- the day after a jury convicted Jeffs on two felony rape as an accomplice charges for his role in Steed's marriage to 14-year-old Elissa Wall.
Steed's attorneys say the charges were filed after the statue of limitations had expired.
In court papers filed last week, prosecutors contend that Utah's law was changed in 2005, giving them up to eight years to file charges.
The marriage was arranged by leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
