Defense attorneys for former Brigham Young University football standout Parker Kingston asked a judge on Thursday to remove Washington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger and his office from a refiled rape case, arguing Jaeger holds a personal conflict of interest in defending his office’s previous investigative steps.
Attorneys Cara Tangaro and Scott Williams filed the motion in court hours after prosecutors refiled a felony rape charge against Kingston. The defense argues that Jaeger holds a personal stake in defending how his office handled the initial investigation, creating a conflict with his duty to pursue justice fairly.
“Mr. Kingston is entitled to a prosecutor whose only interest is that justice be done”
Tangaro and Williams wrote that in the court filing.
Disciplinary Complaint Triggers Defense Motion
The defense motion points directly to a disciplinary complaint that Jaeger filed with the Utah Office of Professional Conduct. Jaeger filed that complaint against two St. George attorneys, William Palmer and another attorney, who do not represent Kingston but discussed the details of the case in TikTok videos.
In that disciplinary complaint, Jaeger accused the attorneys of spreading false factual assertions concerning the investigation and questioning the credibility of the alleged victim. He asked the professional conduct office to investigate whether those statements violated rules regarding truthfulness and pretrial publicity.
“I am particularly troubled by public statements attacking the victim’s credibility and character through social media platforms when those statements appear unsupported by the evidence”
Jaeger wrote in the complaint, which was attached as an exhibit in the defense court filing.
Jaeger added that such public statements could undermine confidence in the legal process and expose victims to unnecessary harassment. Palmer responded through counsel that his online commentary relied strictly on testimony and exhibits presented during Kingston’s preliminary hearing, which Palmer attended as an observer. That response was also submitted as an exhibit by Kingston’s defense team.
Dispute Over Evidence Review
Kingston’s lawyers assert that prosecutors initially charged their client nearly a year after the alleged assault without reviewing critical evidence. That evidence allegedly included body camera footage from the woman’s initial report and her sexual assault examination report.
In his disciplinary complaint, Jaeger maintained that prosecutors did review the relevant footage and that the case underwent an extensive review process before charges were ever filed. Kingston’s attorneys now argue that Jaeger’s public statements and court filings conflict directly with the actual records and evidence.
The defense contends that Jaeger’s ongoing decision-making as a prosecutor—such as determining what evidence to disclose or whether to offer a plea deal—could be improperly influenced by his personal interest in defending his prior statements. His personal interest lies in a record that confirms that account, the defense attorneys wrote in court documents.
A spokesperson for the Washington County Attorney’s Office stated on Friday that the office will oppose Kingston’s motion and plans to address specific issues in an upcoming court filing.
Jerry Jaeger Refiled the Felony Rape Charge
A judge dismissed the original felony rape charge against Kingston over the summer, ruling he would not delay a trial after prosecutors indicated the alleged victim might not be emotionally ready to testify. However, the judge dismissed the case without prejudice, allowing prosecutors to refile.
Washington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger refiled the charge on Thursday. He said that he did so with the full support of the alleged victim. Attorney Andrew Deesing, representing the alleged victim, said Friday that his client was grateful the case is moving forward.
“Their decision to refile these charges has renewed my client’s faith in the justice system and her belief that her voice will be heard”
“She has shown extraordinary courage and resolve throughout this process,” attorney Andrew Deesing, representing the alleged victim, said Friday.
Tangaro and Williams called the decision to refile the charge disappointing, stating that Kingston maintains his innocence. Prosecutors allege that Kingston exchanged messages with a St. George woman in February 2025 and made plans to meet her. Charging documents state that the woman told him not to come if the only reason was to have sex.
According to charging documents, Kingston later texted a friend acknowledging his desire for sex, though he hesitated because he was upset over changing plans. Prosecutors state that upon arriving at the woman’s home, they talked and engaged in some consensual sexual activity without having intercourse. When Kingston began falling asleep, the woman left her room to prepare for bed.
The woman alleges that when she returned, Kingston initiated sexual activity and forced her to have sex after she told him no four times. Kingston is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Dec. 17.
