Polygamous Judge May Need New Job

Nov. 3, 2005 — -- After 25 years on the bench, Judge Walter Steed was on the opposite side Wednesday when he went before the Utah State Supreme Court for a hearing to determine whether he can be both a judge and a polygamist.

Steed is married to three women -- all sisters. He was found to be a polygamist by the state's Judicial Conduct Commission, and the panel issued an order in February seeking his removal from the bench.

"As a judge he needs to comply with the law," said Colin Winchester, Utah Judicial Commission. "His life both professionally and personally needs to be above board in all respects."

But Steed is defiant.

"I'm a Mormon -- and the Prophet Joseph taught that in order to receive the highest glory, that's what was necessary in this life," he said.

Janet Steed, one of his wives, agreed.

"Everybody likes to live their religion and do what they feel is right, why not me?" she said.

Steed serves in one of two small, secluded, secretive communities of fundamentalist Mormons along the Utah-Arizona border. Unlike most mainstream Mormons, people in those communities openly practice polygamy, which critics say leads to an abusive situation for the wives.

"These women are American citizens and they don't have basic and civil human rights in our country," said Andrea Moore-Emmett, president of Utah National Organization for Women and author of "God's Brothel," a book that tells the stories of women who escaped polygamy.

Polygamy is a felony in Utah, punishable by up to five years in prison. But Steed's lawyer says that the law is rarely enforced.

Steed will keep his job until a final ruling is made, which should come in three months.

The initial complaint against Steed was filed by a group called Tapestry Against Polygamy, which is made up of former polygamous wives.