Removal of Polygamous Judge Sought

Utah's Judicial Conduct Commission has asked the Utah Supreme Court to remove longtime Hildale Municipal Court Judge Walter Steed from office because he practices polygamy, according to today's Deseret Morning News. Steed married the first wife in a state-recognized civil ceremony in 1965 and married the other two in 1975 and 1985, respectively, in religious ceremonies of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which encourages plural marriages. The Commission says that Steed's behavior interferes with justice and brings a judicial office into disrepute. Steed argues his marital status is constitutionally protected and does not affect his judicial work. The Utah Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case on Wednesday.