JUDGE'S WIFE FILES RESTRAINING ORDER

She Says Arrest On Drug Charges Spurred Abuse

PROVO --- A 4th District judge charged with felony drug possession has now
been ordered to stay away from his wife and children when he returns to
Utah from in-patient drug treatment Saturday afternoon.

The wife of Judge Ray Harding Jr. says she fears for the safety of herself
and her children at the hands of a man she describes as abusive and
suicidal after his arrest at the family's Highland home on July 13. That is
according to a verified petition for protective order filed by Ann E.
Harding on Oct. 11.

After reviewing Ann Harding's statement, a 3rd District judge granted the
protective order last Tuesday. According to the petition, Ann Harding has
requested that the protective order be served to Harding at the Betty Ford
Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Police say it was Harding's wife and family who called police to their
house on July 13, in a confrontation over the judge's alleged ongoing drug
habit.

According to police search warrant affidavits, cocaine, heroin and
barbiturates were found in the Harding home. Police reported that Harding
appeared lethargic at the time and at one point appeared to have fallen
asleep on the couch while police were questioning family members.

Court officials say the 48-year-old judge's arrest and subsequent charge
may be a first in Utah's judicial history. The arrest also left many fellow
judges and court officials stunned.

Ray Harding Jr. has declined to comment about the case, citing the fact
that the case is ongoing. According the Utah Attorney General's Office, who
is prosecuting the case, Harding has also refused to cooperate with their
investigation.

Calls made to Harding's attorney, Ed Brass, were not readily returned
Friday afternoon.

Lone Peak Department of Public Safety Chief Kip Botkin said Harding's
family turned him in after he reportedly refused to seek help.

But, according to Ann Harding's statement to the courts, her husband did
not take his very public arrest too well.

"Our family was and has continued to be abused by Ray's volatile behavior.
He has caused fear in all of us by continuing to belittle, berate and abuse
us by ranting and raving over insignificant things," according to the
statement. Ann Harding alleges such behavior, which she claimed has been
going on since October of last year, includes raising his fist against his
son and verbally abusing his wife.

"In the real heat of his drug use, Ray insisted on keeping a loaded
semi-automatic handgun at the side of our bed . . . and (said) that he
would take his own life rather than get treatment for drugs," according to
the statement. Ann Harding disclosed that her husband did have a
conceal/carry permit for the gun.

Ann Harding had asked the court to restrain her husband from threatening
her as well as their children. She also asked that Harding be ordered not
to directly or indirectly contact them in person or by telephone, and to
stay away from their home.

Ray Harding Jr. was also ordered to be accompanied by a law enforcement
officer when he goes to their Highland home when getting his possessions.

Since the arrest, Ann Harding wrote that her husband has cut off financial
support. "He has financially ceased to support us even with the basic
necessities," she wrote, asking that Harding be ordered to pay $2,000 in
spousal support. She also writes that he is allegedly to return from drug
rehab this weekend. "Our family is afraid he will return to the home and
take his revenge out on me for the whole drug indictment situation."

No court document showed that Harding had been served with the petition as
of Friday afternoon.

Harding was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on the
drug case Nov. 6. When contacted about the protective order Friday, Ann
Harding had no comment.