Temple Square kissing incident dropped by prosecutor

Updated: 7/29/2009 12:13 pm | Published: 7/29/2009 11:59 am

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The Salt Lake Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ABC 4 News)

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Salt Lake City Prosecutor Sim Gill announced on Wednesday that two men cited for trespassing on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints property will not be prosecuted over an incident in which church security guards confronted them for kissing on the Church's Main Street Plaza.

The gay couple were seen kissing by Church guards and asked to leave. Police officers were called to the scene and gave the men citations for trespassing.

In an e-mail from Gill, the prosecutor said the Church cannot regulate behavior without proper posting of signs or other notifications that inform visitors of their codes of conduct.

The Church also responded with a statement on Wednesday, saying:

“While we feel the City had the necessary elements available for prosecution in this matter, the decision on whether to move forward or not rests with the city prosecutor.”

-Kim Farah, spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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illegalsOut - 7/29/2009 8:25 PM

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what a joke, start arresting and deporting illegals!!!

Occam - 7/29/2009 2:44 PM

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If there was a trial and the jury failed to convict the pair.. on the grounds that the kissing did not substantially interfere with the owner's use of the property.. a precedent would have been set...the validity of the kissing law itself would come into question...wouldn't it?

carobean - 7/29/2009 2:44 PM

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About time. I think the couple should sue the LDS church for unlawful detainment, and NOT settle out of court quietly like so many do with this church. Meddling in another state's politics, being unlawful and prejudice, and having seminary elders sleeping around with teenagers. The whole time playing their victim card. What's next!?!? Will they ever accept responsibility for the things they do?

carobean - 7/29/2009 2:41 PM

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It's about time. The whole thing was absolutely pathetic. So much close mindedness. I think the couple should sue the LDS church for unlawful detainment, and NOT settle out of court like so many will do with the LDS church. Meddling in another state's politics, unlawfully arresting people, and seminary elders messing around with teenagers. What's the next thing they are going to get themselves into and then try playing a victim card, yet again? Have some responsibility for a change.

commonground - 7/29/2009 1:27 PM

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Apparently.. "Utah law provides that even if there is a violation of the statute there is still the affirmative defense for the defendant that such conduct did not “substantially interfere” with the owner’s use of the property.." So the church is still standing by its silliness? They seem to look so foolish...

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