PHOENIX (AP) — A guilty plea by the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border is at risk of being thrown out due to an unmet condition of his deal that hinged on whether others charged in the case also would plead guilty. Under the terms of Samuel Bateman’s deal, prosecutors can — but aren’t required to — withdraw his guilty plea, after two other men charged in the case rejected plea offers and are now headed to trial. Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet who took more than 20 wives, including 10 girls under age 18, pleaded guilty this month to charges of kidnapping and conspiring to transport underage girls across state lines in what authorities say was a yearslong scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix declined on Friday to say whether it will withdraw Bateman’s plea. |
Stock market today: Asian benchmarks are mixed while US seems committed to current ratesChina's logistics sector continues upward trend in Q1Golden Knights defeat Blackhawks 3Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Sydney clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader saysUK inflation falls to lowest level since late 2021 as food prices ease furtherBrian Austin Green says he's learned to 'pick his battles' while coGuerrero has 2 RBIs as Blue Jays win 5Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear arguments in Democratic governor's suit against GOPWisconsin Supreme Court to hear arguments in Democratic governor's suit against GOPIsrael says it will retaliate against Iran, despite the risks