Sect elder suspected of intimidating a witness [FLDS--Grand Jury meets Wednesday]

GoSanAngelo ^ | 6-23-08 | Paul A. Anthony

[deport]

Sect elder suspected of intimidating a witness

By Paul A. Anthony (Contact)

Originally published 03:16 p.m., June 23, 2008
Updated 03:21 p.m., June 23, 2008

Willie Jessop

With a grand jury set to meet this week to consider possible indictments in alleged sexual abuse within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, attorneys are likely to square off Tuesday in San Angelo over whether a sect elder has been intimidating and coercing a possible witness.

The 2 p.m. hearing in the Tom Green County Courthouse will determine whether a temporary restraining order against Willie Jessop issued Friday by 51st District Judge Barbara Walther should be extended.

On Wednesday, the Schleicher County grand jury is expected to meet and hear evidence presented by the Texas Attorney General's Office in the case, which was sparked by a weeklong raid begun April 3 raid on the sect's YFZ Ranch near Eldorado.

Dallas-area attorney Natalie Malonis, representing a 16-year-old girl who is alleged to have been spiritually "married" to a man in his 30s, sought the restraining order after what she described as a pattern of intimidation by Jessop. He has been acting as a sect spokesman but has also been identified by Utah and Arizona authorities as a sect "enforcer."

The request also confirmed reports that the grand jury meeting this week will hear FLDS-related witnesses, citing the inability of state prosecutors to serve the girl with a subpoena.

In response, sect officials and supporters have released e-mails from the girl asking that Malonis stop representing her. The girl, whom the Standard-Times is not identifying because she is an alleged victim of sexual abuse, also wrote a letter to Walther asking her to remove Malonis as her attorney.

Walther has not acted on that request.

Malonis and Tim Edwards, a San Angelo attorney who represents the girl's mother, have been working today to see whether they can head off a hearing.

"My thoughts based on what's happened the last few days," Malonis said, "is no one's willing to agree to anything."

Edwards declined to comment.

[deport]

Looks like the GJ will meet this week. It will be interesting to see if it’s just for one day or they begin a series of meetings on some predetermined schedule. We may not know the schedule but it will be publicized if they meet.

[UCANSEE2]

"In response, sect officials and supporters have released e-mails from the girl asking that Malonis stop representing her." I see who, as commonguymd said, is trying to 'taint' things.

[UCANSEE2]

Sorry.

-------------------------------------------------------

"In response, sect officials and supporters have released e-mails from the girl asking that Malonis stop representing her."

I see who, as commonguymd said, is trying to 'taint' things.

[deport]

Well it isn’t exactly like the girls attorney has been shy about using the media either. Isn’t she the attorney that even divulged the girls name as one being possibly sexually abused?

[Zakeet]

Ping.

[TLI]

I see who, as commonguymd said, is trying to 'taint' things.

Apparently Malonis has a touch of Judge Walther in her. She views the girls emails telling her to get lost as "resistance." Malonis needs to get a clue and do just that. Get lost.

In an e-mail forwarded to the Deseret News and posted on pro-FLDS Web sites, the girl demands that her court-appointed attorney step aside.

"It feels like you are trying to restrict me from every person in my life that I want to talk to or have anything to do with and you want to be the decider of what I do and who I have to do with," she wrote to Natalie Malonis.

Malonis went to court on Friday and obtained a temporary restraining order against FLDS Church member and spokesman Willie Jessop, accusing him of interfering in her relationship with her client and pressuring the girl to avoid service of a subpoena.

"What's been the response? More intimidation and more pressure," Malonis said Sunday, confirming that she had received similar e-mails to the ones published online.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,700237022,00.html

[ejonesie22]

This thing ain’t about over ping...

[festus]

Yup that is for sure. The group trying to prey on little girls on the one hand and then claim victimization on the other. Its behavior like this cult engages in that makes one happy to believe in eternal hellfire.

[UCANSEE2]

“Isn’t she the attorney that even divulged the girls name as one being possibly sexually abused?”

I don’t know. Are you referring to Natalie appearing on Nancy Grace, and did she say that on the show?

Mouser and I were just discussing we haven’t seen it, (and both of us would probably rather join the FLDS than be forced to watch NG).

Commonguymd, you have mentioned Nancy Grace on these threads about 20 times, do you know what she said (Natalie) while on the show?

[UCANSEE2]

“The group trying to prey on little girls”

I don’t really see it that way. I think the child brides is a limited occurrence, and if anyone is preying on the girls, it is Warren, Willie, and the Loyal Inner Circle.

The rest of the FLDS members accept what they see happening because it is part of their ‘religion’, and Warren tells them GOD said it was ok.

Several of the FLDS members, when interviewed, said they were not aware the ‘child brides’ or ‘spiritual marriage’ was even against the law. That is how ‘ignorant’ Warren chooses to keep them, for his own benefit.

Anyway, I don’t think it is fair to blame the activities of a few, on the whole ‘group’.

[UCANSEE2]

Malonis and the guardian ad litem say there was no problem ( and that seems to be true) until WILLIE flew in from out of town, took over the reigns of the YFZ Ranch, and insisted he be allowed into a private meeting with a STATE WITNESS, her attorney ad litem, her guardian ad litem, and her mother.

Willie stated his purpose was to get an “FLDS” friendly lawyer for Teresa , who would protect the interests of the FLDS (not Teresa).

Now, out of the blue, Teresa leaves town(San Antonio) against the judges order, goes to Austin, to get a Lawyer ( who gave her advise on where to go?), and a letter and email appear, supposedly written/typed by Teresa.

Why and how was WILLIE allowed to insert himself into these proceedings for the Grand Jury, when he and the private enterprise he represents (the YFZ Ranch, the FLDS, the UEP, which are all one in the same), are likely to be the subject of the charges?

And WILLIE admitted the ranch is a WHOLE and can be considered that way.

[SouthTexas]

I would imagine there are quite a few that are not aware of all the laws of any given state, much less, if you hop between several.

Supposed to be illegal to campaign in church, but either the democrats are unaware or ...

Idle musings there, here’s a question. Much is said that the members should have known what was going on but did Catholics know about the priest scandals before they broke?

[festus]

By seeing what is happening and accepting it the rest of the members are as guilty as Jeffs even if they are not doing it.

The “Just the bad ones” bit I don’t buy with Muslims, NAMBLA or the heterosexual branch of NAMBLA ( aka FLDS ).

[ladyjane]

I don’t think many Catholics knew about the problem, probably because the 14 year old altar boys were not getting pregnant. At YFZ it was pretty obvious that very young girls were getting married and getting pregnant.

[deport]

I think the attorney named the girl’s name back when the Judge was issuing the release orders and the attorney was trying to get a delay in the girls release. I think the Judge delayed the girls release a few days but she was released maybe with some further restrictions, I really don’t remember now.

[svcw]

How is this possible when ( ) flders are so pure and innocent.

[UCANSEE2]

“By seeing what is happening and accepting it the rest of the members are as guilty as Jeffs even if they are not doing it.”

Yes, they are. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

However, justice should treat those who are ignorant a little different than those who knowingly commit crimes.

How many of these members felt ‘secure’ enough to even question the word of Warren or Willie?

If that ‘law’ had not done anything yet, and you know that to question the word of the PROPHET would mean you would be excommunicated (or killed), losing your property, any money you had, and your wife(s) and children, what would you do?

[SouthTexas]

And young girls don’t get pregnant outside the cult?

[festus]

If that ‘law’ had not done anything yet, and you know that to question the word of the PROPHET would mean you would be excommunicated (or killed), losing your property, any money you had, and your wife(s) and children, what would you do?

Defend my children to the death if needs be. And that is a law that is not written anywhere but in ones heart.

I'll allow some may be dumb and raised in it. But this is clearly a time for the time tested motto ending with "...and let God sort em out."

[UCANSEE2]

“Much is said that the members should have known what was going on but did Catholics know about the priest scandals before they broke?”

If you have been taught from birth something is OK, you don’t see it as a crime, even though others do.

As far as the Catholics and the priest scandals, that kind of stuff has been going on for hundreds of years.

And it’s not just the Catholics, because it has nothing to do with religion. It has to do with human beings who abuse their position of power for their own nefarious purposes.

Politicians, Priests, Ministers, DayCare Workers, Doctors, you name it, there is some ‘abuse’ going on.

And it gets ignored by those who ‘know’ what is going on, but refuse to ‘believe’ it.

[UCANSEE2]

“And young girls don’t get pregnant outside the cult?”

But they don’t live on a ranch where a false PROPHET performs ‘spiritual’ marriages between 16 year old girls and 38 year old men, in violation of the laws of Texas, and states GOD says it’s ok.

[Elsie]

The rest of the FLDS members accept what they see happening because it is part of their ‘religion’, and Warren tells them GOD said it was ok.

This has happened a lot!

[SouthTexas]

Catholics were just the simplest example I could come up with, nothing else intended. There’s whackos everywhere, even in evangelical ranks and none of it is about religion.

That’s not what my question was meant to ask. Do you think they knew?

[UCANSEE2]

Maybe if your family had practiced a lot more inbreeding, and you ended up mentally retarded, you would accept the word of the PROPHET and not fight for your children.

Or, we could just give the entire population of our country a lobotomy, and all be FLDS members.

(/sarc)

[SouthTexas]

They’re still pregnant and underage, I.E. statutory rape.

Or do these get a pass and if so, why?

[UCANSEE2]

“Do you think they knew?”

The Catholics or the FLDS members?

[UCANSEE2]

Sorry. I see now.

“Much is said that the members should have known what was going on but did Catholics know about the priest scandals before they broke?”

I think the ones whose children were victims ‘knew’.
Maybe not right away, but sooner or later they figured it out.

And, of course, there will be a few exceptions, but in general, yes.

We all ‘know’ what goes on with the political ‘INTERNS’, but it continues.

[SouthTexas]

If it is being said the cult members had to know, wouldn’t it apply to Catholics too?

[SouthTexas]

So then they, and we, as in your example, are all guilty?

[UCANSEE2]

I’d say if you don’t have any underage wives, you get a pass.

On the sex with a minor issue. You might still be facing polygamy charges, if it can be proven, which seems difficult with just a ‘spiritual marriage’ certificate.

[UCANSEE2]

Not maybe in the eyes of the law, but in GOD’s eye, we are.

And in our own conscience.

[SouthTexas]

None underage, same one for 33 years. :)

Agreed on the polygamy issue, unless they find a disgruntled wife. And that in itself is enough to have only one!

[SouthTexas]

Totally agree there. Just seems to be more of the old double standard being applied here when these particular issues arise.

[UCANSEE2]

“If it is being said the cult members had to know, wouldn’t it apply to Catholics too?”

Yes. And the Catholics ‘knew’ that behavior was against the law. So did non-Catholics that ‘knew’ what was going on.

The FLDS members knew what was going on, but apparently were led to believe there was nothing wrong with it. It was ordered by GOD.

At least that’s what Warren always told them.

Bottom line, the Catholic church did not condone the illegal behavior of the priests, nor order it, nor suggest GOD did.

Warren Jeffs did.

[UCANSEE2]

Got me.

: )

I didn’t mean the “IF YOU” part to apply to you personally.

I haz 2 bee more careful.

[UCANSEE2]

“Just seems to be more of the old double standard being applied here when these particular issues arise.”

In practice, and in defense.

There are those who break the law, and their defense is that others break the same law, only worse, so WHY ME?

There are those who defend those who break the law, and say, WHY don’t they go after XXX? They do it too.

Judges hear this ‘excuse’ all the time.

I call it the “Mommy, she hit me first!” tactic.

[SouthTexas]

I knew that, still try to lighten it up around here every so often. ;)

Guess we’ll see what happens tomorrow, if anything.

[UCANSEE2]

I think the Grand Jury convenes on Wednesday.

[SouthTexas]

Know what you mean, but I see it more of selective enforcement of laws that are not enforced at all anywhere else.

As I said early on, our schools are full of them and I doubt they are even asked who the father is, much less rounded up and prosecuted.

[SouthTexas]

Yes, grand jury convenes tomorrow and that could be days or weeks. I think the intimidation issue comes up tomorrow though.

Also should have the gun case at SCOTUS tomorrow too.

[UCANSEE2]

“Know what you mean, but I see it more of selective enforcement of laws that are not enforced at all anywhere else.”

Not all intersections have cops sitting there with radar.
But, if there are lots of accidents at one intersection, or public clamor about an intersection, the cops put radar there.

---

“As I said early on, our schools are full of them and I doubt they are even asked who the father is, much less rounded up and prosecuted.”

I assume you mean young pregnant girls. Has anyone filed complaints about those girls?

[SouthTexas]

Don’t think it was so much the public as a few politicians that clamored about this bunch.

Naw, they just given ‘em daycare and welfare checks.

[berdie]

I can’t remember for sure...but didn’t the girl ask for protection?

[Alice in Wonderland]

These are the 2 emails available at the FLDS website: http://www.truthwillprevail.org/index.php?parentid=1&index=75

From: Teresa Jeffs
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 10:39 PM
To: Natalie Malonis
Subject: Re:

Natalie, quit all your lying about everything. You need to realize that I have a mind of my own and I can do things on my own if I choose to. I just want you to realize that I am not putting up with you any longer when you are acting this way and trying to make your name so great, saying to the whole world that you are “protecting Warren Jeffs’ daughter”. That is nothing great to do because I live in a happy family and I have been happy all my life until you and CPS have been so bothersome and nosy! Let me live a free life.

I want you to quit telling the whole world that Willie is making me do all this. Last I knew, he had gone to salt lake and I have had nothing to do with him in the last while. It was my own dear choice and idea to write to the judge and ask for a new lawyer. I wrote it myself and I took the time out of my day to do it. Quit blaming it all on someone else when you have absolutely no proof. No one can change my mind, not even Willie! But, I feel this way about you and I am hoping that you will be kind enough to leave me alone. It feels like you are trying to restrict me from every person in my life that I want to talk to or have anything to do with and you want to be the decider of what I do and who I have to do with.

Oh, Natalie, please don’t make this case harder. Shut your mouth up and quit calling me a victim of sexual abuse. I am so sick of being called that when I am absolutely not a victim of sexual abuse and you have no evidence to prove that I have ever had sexual relations. The most help you will be to me now is for you to step aside and let me get a different lawyer that I feel like can help me. Don’t feel bad and try to fight so hard to make yourself look like your doing your JOB, so everyone can praise YOU! Thank you.

Now, don’t jump to conclusions again, thinking that Willie told me to talk to you like this or told me to stay away from my subpoena. It is my own dear feelings and doings. Right now I am just at home, sitting on my bed. Does it sound like I have dissappeared? To tell you the truth, I havn’t tried very hard at all to dodge this subpoena. Of course I am not just going to go running for it! I know how to think for myself, if you can believe it! This is how I feel and I just thought I would let you know.

-Teresa

---

From: Teresa Jeffs
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:11 PM
To: Natalie Malonis

Natalie, I have just gone over this pleading that you filed yesterday. It is very ashaming to me that you as my attorney would do this. I am continually amazed at how you have been acting lately.

You say that you and I had a good attorney/client relationship. We did at first, but as time went on and even while we were still at High Sky, you remember how I began to withdraw from speaking to you or ever wanting to tell you anything while we were there. I began to realize where you were headed and it felt like you were turning against us. Right now, in my eyes, to me you feel like an enemy to me. I hear that you are subpoened and what do you think I would think of that? I feel like I am trying to be my own attorney right now trying to win against you because you are doing so many things that are not in my best interest.

You say you hope that now that this restraining order is on Willie then maybe you and I will have a better relationship. Well, you are absolutely wrong. I read about how you talked about my mother. I realize that you wouldn’t care if she was arrested, you don’t care about anyone I love. Do you think I am going to want to deal with you even still.

As time has gone on, I have been more resisting to tell you anything. You need to understand that no one is trying to tell me to do all this. I have gone to different people to know how to deal with it because my trust in you is gone and you are going on by yourself and leaving me without an attorney and now I am trying to win against you because of what you are doing. I now need an attorney that will help me because of the situation you have now allowed me to be in.

I just want to get this straight with you. I can tell that you do not even care about anyone, you are trying to act like you care about me so much that you want me to do what you want me to do and you are so worried that Willie or Ray or some one is going to do something to me. I can wittness to you that in any communications that I have ever had in my whole life with those men and others, they have never threatened me. They have treated so very kindly.

Natalie, stop all your nonsense. It was me that emailed you telling you that I did not want the subpoena. You say that you tried calling me. My mother and myself never remember the phone ringing and your name coming up that it was you, or else of course me or my mother would have answered it. You say that I dissappeared so they could not subpoena me. Should I tell you the truth? I was just over at a relatives house most of that day visiting. They didn’t think to come find me there. They called my mother up and wanted to meet her so they could give it to her. She was going to meet them but then we decided to ask him to give us a day and then we would meet him. He was willing. We called the man the next day and told him where we were so they could bring it to us. they told us they would bring it the next morning which they have done. So, Natalie, just to let you know, I have my subpoena.

Well, they want me to appear before a grand jury. I do not have confidence in you and how can I get you to help me in such a situation that I am in when it feels like to me all you are doing is going against me. So, that is the reason that I am asking you to step aside and let me do what I need to do and get me a different attorney.

You go live a happy life and so will I. Lets stop worrying about eachother and we will both be alot happier. Quit worrying about me so much hoping that I have protection. If I feel like I need protection in one way or another, I will tell someone. I feel like I need protection from you right now! If you can believe such a thing! My attorney is going against my wishes. Maybe you need a restraining order that you can absolutely have nothing to do with me and you have to stay 1000 ft away from me! What do you think of that? I think that would be most wonderful.

Please don’t feel bad. I just want to get this straight with you. Now don’t think that someone else is typing this note to you. I wish you were standing by me to watch me type it so I can show you proof that this is me all the way. Nobody told me to come and type this. In fact, I haven’t showed this restraining order to anyone yet. I am the only one that has seen it. I will show it to my mother as soon as I email this letter to you.

Straighten up your back and realize that you cannot keep playing around with me. With the help of the Lord I will stand for the right, no matter what you or anyone else threatens me with. No one around me that loves me has threatened me that if I don’t stand for the right then they will do something to me. Never in my life have I been threatened so much until I had to do with you and CPS.

Well, thank you Natalie for stepping aside. I am expecting it of you. Go live a happy, merry life!

-Teresa Jeffs

[Alice in Wonderland]

http://www.truthwillprevail.org/Willie%20Jessop%20Restraining%20Order%20and%20Brower%20Affidavit.pdf

PDF with Application for Restraining Order, Affidavit of Natalie Malonis, Affidavit of Sam Brower, and letter to the Court from Teresa Jeffs.

[Alice in Wonderland]

I saw the Nancy Grace episode everyone is wondering about. The attorney stated that she represented two or three children (I forget) but did not mention names. She wasn't on but for a minute.

It seems Miss Jeffs hasn't been the only one writing letters to the judge. Here's one I found on the FLDS website. This 8-year-old spells better than the 16-year old. Letter writing to the Court is a tactic the flds has used in the past in Short Creek . . . successfully.

http://www.truthwillprevail.org/index.php?parentid=4&index=18

[ladyjane]

I don’t understand your response.

You asked why Catholics were not aware of the scandal.

[AppyPappy]

How old is her husband?

[SouthTexas]

My point was the apparent double standard.