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Coltharp jury trial set RAY LAFOLLETTE
The Pyramid
MANTI — During pre-trial conference held March 21, attorney for the defense, Paul R. Frischknecht reported that negotiations with defendant John Alvin Coltharp had broken down because Coltharp rejected a plea deal, so a trial by jury has been scheduled to begin July 9. Coltharp has pleaded not guilty to all charges and the plea deal would have placed him in jail for at least 25 years. Sanpete County Attorney Kevin Daniels has said he will not settle for anything less than a 25-tolife sentence. Months ago the children of Coltharp were rescued from a compound in southern Utah. They are currently living with their mother at an undisclosed location in Colorado while Coltharp awaits trial in Sixth District Court. Coltharp is one of two persons accused of marrying each other’s oldest daughters and their own youngest daughters. Coltharp’s ex-wife had
been given custody of the children, but Coltharp disregarded the court order and kept his two sons and two daughters. When Coltharp failed to turn the children over he was arrested and the Iron County compound the two men lived in was raided Dec. 4, 2017. During the raid the two sons were found but the daughters were missing, which led to an Amber Alert being sent out. Later that night police found four girls hidden in 50-gallon plastic water barrels and an abandoned trailer. The children were treated for the effects of cold and symptoms of dehydration. Two of the girls are daughters of Samuel Shaffer. He was also arrested and has faced charges which are similar to Colthorp’s, but Shaffer entered guilty pleas to child rape and child abuse. Shaffer asked Fifth District Judge Matthew Bell to withdraw his guilty plea in a Feb. 27 letter because he was not mentally prepared to plead guilty. However Judge Bell said that Shaffer knew what he was doing, ruled
We A r e S a n p e t e . c o m Thursday, March 29, 2018 • Vol. 128, No. 13 • 75 cents
Raul Francisco Vidrio
Vidrio case continues RAY LAFOLLETTE
During a pre-trial conference held March 21, it was announced that John Alvin Coltharp had rejected a plea deal. He will now face trial by jury scheduled to begin July 9 in Sixth District Court on charges of child kidnapping, obstruction of justice-harbors or conceals a person, sodomy and child bigamy. against the change. Shaffer’s sentencing is scheduled May 8. Samuel Shaffer is considered the original prophet of a fundamentalist Mormon offshoot group called Knights of the Crystal Blade. He and his friend John Coltharp are leaders of the small religious group.
Police documents report that they were preparing for a Muslim invasion of the United States and the end of the world. Coltharp is facing charges of child kidnapping, obstruction of justice-harbors or conceals a person, sodomy and child bigamy.
The Pyramid
PROVO — Raul Francisco Vidrio appeared before Judge James R. Taylor on March 22 for arraignment for the alleged aggravated murder of Wesley Nay. Attorney for the defense, Jennifer L. Foresta, requested a continuance after the state informed the court they do not intend to seek the death penalty and the state will file the appropriate order. The motion was granted for a continuance and a scheduling conference has been set for July 12, at 1:30 p.m., Please see VIDRIO, Page A1
WA students take third place at BYU business competition MT. PLEASANT — Each year Wasatch Academy students attend Brigham Young University’s (BYU) High School Business Language Competition (HBLSC) eager to apply their business and Spanish skills outside the school environment, develop presentation abilities, and use creativity–all while developing a business plan. Enrique Roces and Lalo Martinez represented Wasatch Academy at this year’s competition under the supervision of economics teacher Beth Thompson and Spanish teacher Scott Butler. Roces and Martinez presented their business plan and market strategy in Spanish to two separate panels of judges. Although the team was meant to be a trio, a last-minute conflict left Roces and Martinez revising their entire presentation the day of the competition on their way from Mt. Pleasant to Provo. The last-minute change did not hinder Roces and Martinez from putting their best foot forward to
Enrique Roces
Lalo Martinez
take the 3rd place prize. “It was very inspiring to watch them work hard for this competition,” stated Butler. For the competition the students are given a product, generally from a recent start-up business, for which they must create a marketing strategy to position the product within the Hispanic community of Utah.
Students are given only three weeks to research the product, learn about the Utah Hispanic market, and develop a business plan to market the product effectively. This year’s product was Thread Wallets, a slim, stylish alternative wallet created in 2014 by Colby Bauer.
Having coordinated this competition for the last three years, Thompson and Butler say students must possess the self-discipline to prepare for the competition on their own. Having never competed in a competition of this caliber, 2017 competitor Christian Martinez commented,” I had to research and learn a ton about business. But it was totally worth it. That experience has been the most useful and real-world thing I did during all of my high school years.” Thompson and Butler are looking forward to supporting many students in the future as they learn the world of business. Butler states, “The best part of this is that when interviewing for colleges or future jobs, a student can share about their hours of research, what it is like to be a member of a team, and how they have presented a business plan, etc. All of this above and beyond the classroom done on their own time.”
Easter egg hunts abound with fun March 31 SANPETE COUNTY — Looking for an Easter Egg Hunt? This Saturday, March 31, there are at least seven scheduled to take place in Sanpete County. Locations include Moroni, Mt. Pleasant, Manti, Fountain Green, Ephraim and Gunnison. Here is a list of times and locations: Moroni 9 a.m., Moroni City Easter Egg Hunt for all ages through fifth grade, at the North Sanpete Middle School Park, 750 East Race Track Road, Moroni. Ephraim 9 a.m. sharp, Lions Club Easter egg hunt at Ephraim City Park, 310 East 300 North. It will be followed by the Ephraim City Community Spring Thing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be live gardening demos, spring fashion show, craft and food booths, live
entertainment and a chalk art contest for kids ages 2-16. Age groups will be divided, and prizes will be given to a winning kid of each age group. Be there between 12 and 2 p.m. to enter. Encourage family and friends to attend. Free vendor booth space is available. For more information email to Ephraim.communityevents@gmail. com or call (435) 283-4631. Mt. Pleasant 10 a.m., Mt. Pleasant City Easter Egg Hunt at Mt. Pleasant City Park, 800 South State Street. Come early to avoid missing the event start. In the event of inclement weather the hunt will be moved to the Recreation Center, 10 North State. ALEXANDER SHALAMOV Manti There are at least seven Easter egg hunts scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 31, in Sanpete County. In addition, some of the hunts Please see EASTER, Page A10 include other fun activities.
The Mt. Pleasant Library’s Hogwarts School classes held March 17 in the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center presented attendees with activities, fun and mystery for all ages.
Participants enjoy Hogwarts School classes RAY LAFOLLETTE
The Pyramid
MT. PLEASANT — Muggles and wizards of all ages were encouraged to attend the Hogwarts School classes March 17 in the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center. Over 80 participants showed up and participated in the fun and learning. When first arriving at the center, attendees first noticed Honeydukes, where treats, including chocolate covered wands, Bertie Botts every-flavor beans, chocolate frogs and butter beer were available. Participants then went through the brick wall at Platform 9 ¾ and were greeted by Hedwig, Mrs. Sprout with her Mandrake and Mad-Eye Moody. Each participant then was introduced to the sorting hat to determine which house they belonged in, be it Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Please see HOGWARTS, Page A10
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