AMERICAN FORK — A trial set for next month for a former seminary principal accused of having sex with a student has been delayed until June.
Fourth District Judge Christine Johnson on Tuesday scheduled an eight-day trial from June 14 to June 25 for Michael Pratt, former principal of the LDS seminary program at Lone Peak High School in Highland.
Pratt, 37, is charged with 15 felonies, including forcible sodomy, object rape, rape and forcible sex abuse, for an alleged sexual relationship with a then-16-year-old girl.
His newly hired attorney, Stephen McCaughey, said he needed the extension due to the complexity and seriousness of the case, with his client facing several first-degree felonies and thus the possibility of life in prison. He said if convicted, Pratt would likely serve seven to 10 years in prison.
Johnson said she was "persuaded that a modest continuance is appropriate to allow new counsel to get up to speed on this case."
However, she told McCaughey that since she was granting his request to delay the case, he must not withdraw as Pratt's attorney before it is over.
A hearing on several pre-trial motions on the admissibility of statements by Pratt's wife, whether Pratt occupied a position of trust as the girl's principal and other matters is set for April 20.
McCaughey said he would consider whether to ask to move the trial out of Utah County, but he does not expect that to happen.
— Paul Koepp