Furness Free On Bond Until Assault Hearing

A magistrate has decided state Sen. Rex Furness, R-Rigby, can remain free under $20,000 bond until his June 11 preliminary hearing on sexual battery charges involving his 17-year-old adopted granddaughter.

Furness, 72, was charged earlier this month with fondling the girl. He was released under $20,000 bond.

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Furness and his wife, Fern, tried to intimidate the victim or get her to drop the charges, in a telephone call last week. Furness’ attorney denied there was any attempt at intimidation.

Magistrate Mark Rammell decided that Furness could remain free on bond as long as he refrained from contact with the teenage girl. He did not extend the prohibition to Fern Furness.