Salt Lake Tribune
July 20, 2009
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12877041
Provo » A judge on Monday appointed a public defender to represent a former LDS seminary principal charged with 21 felony counts of sexual abuse of a 16-year-old female student.
Michael Pratt, 37, told 4th District Judge Claudia Laycock he has a wife and three children and no savings to pay for his legal defense. He was fired from his position at the LDS seminary associated with Lone Peak High School when the criminal allegations surfaced.
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| Michael Pratt, right, a former seminary principal, is joined Monday by temporary attorney Sidney Unrau in 4th District Court in Provo as he fills out the paperwork to request a public defender. Pratt, in court for a felony first appearance, was charged with 21 felonies all connected to allegation of sexual abuse of a 16-year-old student. Photo by Stuart Johnson |
A small group of Pratt's friends and former students were present in court to support him. Dakota Huddleston, 18, whom Pratt taught for two semesters last year, said he thought Pratt was most likely guilty, but that it was important to support him regardless.
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| Photo by Stuart Johnson |
"I know he's still the same man," Huddleston said. "He made some mistakes and we [former students] need to be there for him like he was for us."
Huddleston said Pratt would frequently counsel students struggling with problems last year, often closing his door to speak privately.
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| Photo by Stuart Johnson |
Prosecutors have alleged Pratt had sexual encounters with the girl at several locations around Utah County. He allegedly took her from Highland on three occasions without her parents' nor the school's knowledge.
Pratt is to appear for an Aug. 18 scheduling hearing before Judge Christine Johnson at the 4th District Court in American Fork.
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