- A judge moved up the preliminary hearing in the Parker Kingston case to March 23.
- The former BYU receiver is charged with first-degree felony rape.
- A defense attorney raised a concern over court security in future hearing.
A 5th District Court judge moved up a preliminary hearing in the felony rape case against former BYU football player Parker Kingston at the request of his attorney.
Cara Tangaro told Judge Jay Winward she is ready for a preliminary hearing during a brief video conference Wednesday. Kingston, 21, appeared via video but did not speak.
A preliminary hearing requires prosecutors to present evidence to prove there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime they are charged with. Alleged victims might testify at such hearings. In Utah, it is only required in felony and Class A misdemeanor cases. If the judge determines there is probable cause, the case is bound over for trial.
Originally scheduled for April 13, the preliminary hearing in the Kingston case is now set for March 23.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office charged Kingston with first-degree felony rape earlier this month. Kingston was released on bail and ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor for at least 60 days.
A 20-year-old woman reported that Kingston sexually assaulted her on Feb. 23, 2025, in her St. George, Utah, apartment. She notified police of the assault on Feb. 27 at St. George Regional Hospital, according to a probable cause statement.
An officer who interviewed Kingston said the former BYU star receiver told him “all sexual activity” that night was “consensual,” according to court documents.
Deputy Washington County Attorney Ryan Shaum told the judge Wednesday that prosecutors haven’t decided whether the woman will testify at the preliminary hearing.
“We haven’t made that call yet,” he said.
Tangaro said if the alleged victim plans to testify, she wants the hearing to be in person rather than via video conferencing.
Winward ordered the prosecutor to disclose that decision at an already scheduled March 18 review hearing so Tangaro can make plans.
Court security issue
Tangaro also raised a concern related to the last hearing in the case but didn’t want to discuss it in open court. She texted her concern to Shaum, who was in the courtroom. He shared it with the judge.
Winward said Tangaro brought up an issue about “court security.” He said the court would take efforts to address it in future hearings, specifically regarding in-person attendees and those online as well as decorum in the courtroom.
Kingston is no longer a student at BYU and was removed from the football team, according to the university. Kingston, who prepped at Roy High before joining Cougars in 2022, led BYU with 67 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.