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Show Vol. 7. No. 2 Wednesday, January 9, 50 1985 cents a single topv Victim's husbaed gives testimony Didn't expect of slaying By MAKC HADDOCK Alan Tuesday first-degre- e Lafferty took the stand morning to testify in the murder trial of his Dan in Utah's Fourth Court in Provo. Dan is of killing Alan's wife, brother District accused and Brenda, daughter Erica in American Fork on July 24th. When court resumed at 1:30 p.m. prosecutors said they would call two more witnesses and complete the presentation of their case. Alan that Lafferty testified although he had previously heard about a revelation calling for the "removal" of his wife and daughter he didn't think his brothers would carry out the crime. Alan said although he had never seen the revelation, Dan had told him about it at their mother's Prove home in late March or early April of fifteen-month-ol- d 1984. ' "I was informed that this revelation was received and that my wife's life and my daughter's life would be required by the Lord. "Alan said he told his brother that he should be certain the revelation was authentic. He also told the jury that "in a moment of pride I said that much like Isaac that if God required it from me to do it, I would do it,i but he would have to tell me himself. Unless that happened I would defend their lives with my life against anyone. Alan said he didn't tell his wife abouti the revelation. He said he felt it would not be valid unless it received unanimous approval from the School of the Prophets, "a religious study group to which his brothers belonged. Alan said his brother;; Hon and Dan at one time tried to get him involved in the group. He discussed joining the organization with his wife. "She preferred that I not participate," he said. Deputy Utah County Altorny Wayne Watson referred Alan to a March 9, 1984 revelation given to his family brother Ron which referred to "six mighty ones fighting side by side." Watson pointed out there were six Lafferty brothers and Alan was the only brother not participating in the activities of the School of the Prophets. Alan said his wife objected to his brothers' activities "I know that was well known because she communicated with their wives. his brother, Dan Lafferty stressed that he had not "expressed any unkindness towards Brenda Lafferty." Earlier in the day, jurors heard testimony from two memebers of the School of the Prophets, Barry Crowther and Bob Crossfield, who is also known as Onias. Both men said that Dan Lafferty had supported a revelation from his brother Ron calling for the "setting apart of a killing instrument" to carry out the revelation calling for the removal of Brenda and Erica Lafferty, as well as Chloe Low and Richard Stowe, both from Highland, Utah. Crowther told Dan "You and Ron had prayed about the revelations and felt they were from the Lord and you wanted to know if we were of the same mind. That was rejected by everyone else and with that you left the meeting. Other individuals testifying Tuesday morning were Mrs. Low and her husband Stewart, Stowe,-anseven law enforcement officials who gathered evidence in the case. Opening the trial proceedings Monday, Watson laid out what he called a "scenario or a road map" for the jury, describing what the prosecution would try to prove in the subsequent days of the trial. The statement included a graphic description of the murder scene on July 24, where American Fork Police Detective Gary Caldwell found Brenda Lafferty "lying in a tremendous pool of blood with her hair pulled back," her throat cut from ear to ear and an electrical cord cut from a vacuum' cleaner wrapped around her neck. His voice nearly breaking with MM Cross-examini- Councilman Ashton expressed his concern that Robinson had known of the City's intention to remove the track for about two years, and now in the elventh hour of the sewer construction and possible railroad removal, he comes forth with his desire to keep the railroad spur in place. job in Knapp's hometown of Wichita, Kans., in late June of 1984 and ended when Knapp and Charles Alan Carnes were arrested in Cheyenne, Wyo. fj ffi )V fi? A few days After meeting Dan, he met Ron Lafferty and watched asLafferly received and wrote down a "revelation" telling Knapp to accompany the two men westward. "It was unique to watch," Knapp testified. "First there was a hesitation in Ron's hand. Then he started beckoning the spirit." The three men traveled in Ron Lafferty's green Chevrolet station from Kansas wagon through Colorado, Wyoming, British Columbia and Washington to Oregon, where they met a woman that Dan "met up with and they took it from there," Knapp said." Traveling in two cars, with Dan and Leoran Monahan and her two daughters in Monahan's station wagon, and Ron, Knapp and Monahan's two sons in Ron's station wagon, the group made their way down the coast to Sacramento, where Ron Lafferty and Knapp became separated from the others. It was in Sacramento, in the middle of July, that Knapp testified they met Chip Carnes in a rest stop, where Knapp said Carnes "was in a spiritual slump." Knapp said the three men headed for Big Water, Utah, where they hoped to find Dan - but arrived about 30 minutes after he had left A few days later, on July 22, they were reunited at the home of Claudine Lafferty, the defendant's mother. Knapp also described the events of July 24, and testified that that morning the brothers had discussed the need for the murders of their sister-in-laand her baby and said Dan told him. "There is no greater sacrifice than that of a first-borHe told how he and Carnes sat outside Alan and Brenda Lafferty's American Fork residence and watched Dan Lafferty force his way into the home. He said he heard Brenda Laffcrtv -- . Dan Lafferty explains his views al following selection of jury Friday. emotion, Watson also described (he discovery of the body of the victim's daughter, Erica, who was also found with her throat slashed, lying dead in her crib. Watson said the prosecution would call 30 witnesses and present (7 exhibits in the course of the trial that would link Dan Laflertv to the Sewer problems discussed at special meeting Sherman Robinson, an owner of the Lehi Roller Mills, appeared before a special meeting of the Lehi City Council to express his concerns about the proposed removal of a railroad spur that has served his business for many years. Plans were to remove the tracks to make way for construction of the east interceptor sewer line and to enhance the possibilities of an at the interchange Freeway location. Robinson explained that the Roller Mills had been there about 80 years and that it has always had access to the railroad for transporting his products, but with the planned expansion of his business and the possibility of lower railroad rates in the future, he felt that the rail spur was vital to his business and should remain. He pointed out that most of the grain growers in the area depend on the Lehi Roller Mills for the shipping of their grain, and that a slight change in truck shipping rates could cost his business and the farmers great sums of money without the railroad to fall back on. Ten farmers were in attendance to support Robinson in his appeal to keep the railroad spur in it's present location. The farmers were concerned because their livelihood depends so much on the Roller Mill and it's ability to transport their grain. A lack of communication between the City and Robinson was also aconcern according to the owner. WW brief conference murders, and would also establish a motive for Ihe killings. The most graphic testimony was delivered by Ricky Martin Knapp. w ho described a month long Odyssey that began when he and Dan Lafferty "witnessed - shared our testimonies of Jesus Christ" when both were working on a demoliton scream from inside In r vm, ome saying. "I knew it was going to this," and, "Don't hurl my baby please." four different times In response to a question from Watson about what he did when the commotion continued. Knapp said quietly: "Weil. Lord forgive me. I told Ron he ought to go in and help his brother out.'' Knapp testified that the for about 10 minutes, and then "it got quiet - just quiet." Five minutes after that. Dan and Ron Lafferty came from the back of the house. "They had blood on and their pants and their boots, but they didn't have blood on their hands. They had washed them." On the way to the Chioe in Highland, further about the conversations between the defendant and his brother "It blew my mind." Knapp said. "It came up that their brother would be relieved. They didn't show no grief or nothing." Knapp's testimony included a description of the burglary of the Low home after the brothers found it was deserted, and the subsequent trip to Wendover, New, where, hours after the visit to the Lafferty residence, the four men were trying to earn more money in a gambling casino. On the way. Knapp said. Dan had told his brother "something about felt the spirit' or The the spirit, spirit was with me.' Something to that effect. He said it was no problem doing the baby in." He said he and Carnes left the Laffertys sleeping in a mote! room registered to Knapp and took off in Ron's station wagon, throwing out the brothers' belongings along the way, as they made their Idaho to Cheyenne, Wyo.. to . the home of Carnes's There the two men were arrested by then-shirt- Knapp-lestifie- i sister-in-law- Wyoming police officers. Other individuals testifying Monday included the Lafferty's next door neighbors, Cory and Christine See Latterly page :, Retirement project possible in Lehi Mayor Tripp said there were several reasons, two of them very important at this time: The sewer construction was the top priority, and the City was working with the Department of transportation to construct a full freeway interchange at that location and that the City to needed the railroad construct the new frontage road. According to Robinson he was Mayor Tripp said that he felt a full never made aware that the City interchange was more important intended to remove the railroad to the citizens of Lehi for industrial north of Main Street. development on the East side, than But when Councilman Carlton the railroad spur being kept in place. showed Robinson a map showing the removal of the spur he stated that he He informed the citizens that if had seen it. the track remained the railroad would be expected to maintain them Several citizens owning property and to clean up the area. Mr. Bryson west of the railroad were present to said that left the neighbors with the express their concerns about the same problem, as the railroad has dangers existing there. Spokesman not been receptive to their concerns. Ra dy Bryson said that they had The Council retired for a short tried for four years to get the City or executive session to discuss legal the railroad to clean up the railroad ramifications any concerning but to date no action decisions that might be made in the has been taken. Bryson said the area matter. is a health hazard, a fire hazarad, caused water problems in the Following the return of the council subdivision, and most of all was to continue the public meeting, dangerous to the children who play Councilman Fowler made a motion on the cars that are stored on the to issue a change order to put the tracks for years at a time. He asked sewer on the East side of the who would be responsible if a home railorad tracks North of the Roller was closest to a fire, or if a child was Mills, and to postpone construction sewer of the last 800 feet of seriously hurt. line until such time as legal Grant Smith, a farmer present at ramifications are resolved between the meeting, asked why the City the railroad and the Roller Mills. wanted the track removed. The motion passed unanimously. y right-of-wa- right-of-wa- h By Betty Fouler "Hedgemont", a development for is being 'graying Americans", planned for land adjoining the lake south of Lehi. for Announcing plans "Hedgemont" is Taylor Merrill, a land developer from Salt Lake City. Plans for the development were first made known at a town meeting called by former Mayor Bud Ellison two years ago. Since then, Merrill has received tentative approval from the U.S. Corp of Engineers, a major hurdle in for the accomplishing goals development. The property is now in Utah County and has not been annexed to Lehi although Merrill has informally approached Lehi City for possible annexation. Several properly expressed interest owners have the project in which includes an golf homes for course. 500 condo-typretirement people, and a lake that connects to Utah Lake for boating activities e man-mad- e Merrill is now seeking the necessary financing lor the project "I think it would be a good project." Dec Fowler. Lehi City Councilman said. "The project would fill a need lor housing for retired couples in our area " Community Education programs begin in Alpine School District The week of January 21st marks the beginning of Winter Community Education classes in the Alpine School District. The district offers hundreds of classes in a host of g subject areas. wide-rangin- For example, language classes are offered from beginning Chinese conversation to French, Russian, Spanish and German. Other classes include crafts, vocational, and exercise classes, special courses in computer literacy and in job skills. Through Alpine School District Community Education classes one can learn to square dance, break dance, tap dance, jazz dance, belly dance, ballroom dance, or learn ballet or modern dance. Other interesting classes include pottery, word and floral arranging processing. Patrons of any age may participate in classes at any school in the district. Schools hosting classes include Mountain View High, Lakeridge Junior High and Scera in Orem; park Elementary Pleasant Grove Junior High; American Fork Junior High, Highland Elementary and Forbes Elementary in the American Fork area; and Lehi Junior High, Sego Meadow Lily Elementary, Elementary and Lehi Elementary in the Lehi area. A Community Education brochure will be mailed to each home in the district during this week. If you have not received a district brochure by Jan. 14, please contact Alpine School District, ext. 251. 756-967- |