ST. GEORGE -- A judge has denied motions to dismiss the lawsuit of a man who claims a polygamous church persuaded his wife and children to leave him.
Jason Miles Williams, 24, claims he was forced out of his Colorado City, Ariz., home last December.He contends Rulon Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Jeffs' son, Warren, coerced his wife, Suzanne, to leave his family because "she had no chance of salvation if she were to remain married" to Jason Williams.
Fifth District Judge James L. Shumate will allow Jason Williams' complaint to go forward, the Spectrum reported in a copyright story Thursday.
Jason Williams seeks $10 million in damages for alienation of affection and intentional infliction of emotional distress. His wife has filed for divorce in Mohave County, Ariz., citing irreconcilable differences.
The lawsuit names others besides Rulon and Warren Jeffs, including Lester Johnson, the man Suzanne Williams reportedly married.
Shumate last week dismissed the complaint against Suzanne Williams' father, Frank Jessop.
Chris Edwards, Jason Williams' attorney, said his client does not want to divorce his wife, who lives in Hildale.
"His concern is he had a wonderful marriage, but pressures placed on her by the church caused her to do things she wouldn't have normally done," Edwards said.
Jeffs' attorneys say they haven't decided what to do next or whether they will appeal Shumate's ruling.
"We'll take it as it comes," said Rodney Parker. "We're going to very aggressively defend this (lawsuit), because we believe it has no merit."
Parker said evidence will show the couple wasn't as happy as Jason Williams contends, and many problems surfaced because of religious differences.
The lawsuit alleges that after Warren and Rulon Jeffs coerced Suzanne Williams to leave Jason Williams, Rulon Warren then instructed her to marry Johnson, "destroying any chance . . . of reconciliation."
On March 27, Johnson, who has another spouse, and Suzanne Williams "participated in a plural marriage ceremony," the lawsuit claims. Suzanne Williams is now pregnant.