Jan. 25, 2001-- Reported by Central Utah Correspondent Sam Penrod
Polygamist Tom Green was back in court today fighting the most serious charge against him, that of rape of a child, for allegedly marrying a 13-year-old girl.
Tom Green was accompanied to court today by his wife Hannah.
It was the prosecution's turn to prove the child rape charge against him should stand.
Green insists several authorites were aware he was married to Linda Green in 1986, but did nothing.
Two investigators testified they had contacted Green in 1989 about allegations of sexual abuse of a girl Green would later marry.
They both said they had no idea about his relationship with the alleged victim, Green's first wife, Linda.
And two former Uintah County Sheriffs, along with two deputies, testified they had not heard or had any record about an alleged phone call by an acquaintance of Tom Green in April of 1986, reporting he had married a then 13-year-old girl.
The judge has issued a gag order to the attorneys so they can't talk about the case.
Green says he wants to put this behind him so he can focus on his trial for bigamy.
Tom Green/Defendant: "I HOPE THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ENDS THE RAPE CASE AND WE CAN ADDRESS THE BIGAMY AND NON-SUPPORT ISSUES."
Sam Penrod/Eyewitness News: "GREEN WILL GET ONE LAST CHANCE TO CALL HIS REBUTTAL WITNESSES BEFORE THE JUDGE RULES IF THE CHARGE AGAINST HIM CAN STAND, IN WHAT'S BECOME A LENGTHY AND TIME CONSUMING LEGAL PROCEEDING."
Green could face up to life in prison if convicted on the child rape charge.
His trial on bigamy charges is set to begin May 14th.
