Judge upholds suit vs. polygamist church
Deseret News (AP) 24Aug99 L7
udge upholds suit vs. polygamist church

ST. GEORGE, UTAH -- Fifth District Judge James L. Shumate has decided to allow a complaint by Jason Miles Williams, a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to go forward in the court. Williams claims that the FLDS Church through its leader, Rulon Jeffs and his son Warren, coerced his wife Suzanne to leave his family because "she had no chance of salvation if she were to remain married" to Williams. He is seeking $10 million in damages based on his claim of alienation of affection and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

After leaving Williams, Suzanne Williams has filed for divorce in Mohave County, Arizona, saying that the couple have 'irreconcilable differences.' The lawsuit Williams filed also named Lester Johnson, who Suzanne Williams reportedly married in a polygamous marriage ceremony March 27th after the couple separated. Johnson has another wife, and Suzanne is now pregnant, according to news reports.