The Utah Court of Appeals has intervened in the trial of a conservation activist and her husband accused of trying to kill cattle in San Juan County.
Rose Chilcoat and Mark Franklin were to face a jury trial starting Wednesday on charges that they trespassed on state trust lands and closed a corral gate with the intent of blocking livestock’s access to water.
Seventh District Judge Lyle Anderson has twice reject defense requests for stays while the Durango, Colo. couple’s lawyers challenged key pre-trial rulings to the appellate court. On Friday, a three-judge panel granted the stay.