Teen bride's book could delay trial

ST. GEORGE, Utah, May 16 (UPI) -- A lawyer for the Utah man facing trial for marrying his first cousin while she was a juvenile says a book by the defendant's ex-wife threatens the proceedings.

"Stolen Innocence," by Elissa Walls, was released Tuesday.

A hearing for Allen Steed scheduled for Thursday was postponed for 60 days at the request of both prosecution and defense, the Deseret Morning News reported. Both sides said factors outside their control made a continuance desirable.

Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs was sentenced to five years to life for arranging the marriage. Walls and Steed testified at his trial, she for the prosecution and he for the defense.

"While the book has raised great concerns about obtaining a fair trial, the issues are multiplied by the apparent book promotion tour that is reported to include a long string of appearances on national television programs," Steed's lawyer Jim Bradshaw wrote the prosecutor in a May 8 letter.

Steed is charged with raping his underage wife.