A Utah County man charged with raping five women will remain in jail with bail set at $2 million after a judge denied a defense motion to reduce the amount.
Attorneys for Gregory Nathan Peterson, 37, said they were not given sufficient notice when a judge earlier this year raised Peterson's bail from $750,000 to $2 million.
Third District Judge Judith Atherton raised Peterson's bail after a two-day preliminary hearing in August, during which four women testified that Peterson had sexually assaulted them.
But in her ruling, 3rd District Judge Katherine Bernards-Goodman said Peterson's attorneys had time to prepare, as they had already argued for a reduction at another hearing.
Bernards-Goodman also said the evidence presented at a preliminary hearing went beyond what prosecutors had charged in court documents, and warranted a change in bail.
Peterson faces kidnapping and rape charges in Salt Lake and Wasatch counties.
Peterson is well known in Utah Republican circles, and has hosted political events at a cabin in Heber, where prosecutors say some of the sexual assaults occurred. Peterson met all four women because of his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to testimony.
His next court date is set for Nov. 2.
afalk@sltrib.com