Posted on 07/28/2011 4:07:36 PM PDT by MizSterious
WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press
Updated 04:34 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2011
SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) — Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs dismissed his high-powered defense team and began representing himself Thursday in a last-ditch attempt to delay the start of his sexual assault trial.
With opening statements set to begin, the 55-year-old ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said he had spent extensive time training his lawyers, but they weren't able to present "a pure defense." He then pleaded for more time to prepare the case by himself.
Jeffs burned through seven attorneys in six months and prosecutors had complained his frequent switching of counsel was a delay tactic. But special prosecutor Eric Nichols, representing the Texas attorney general's office, said he'd be willing to stop the trial until Monday if Jeffs represented himself.
State District Judge Barbara Walther allowed Jeffs to become his own lawyer but refused to delay the case — even as Jeffs sat alone at the defense table, rising every few minutes to mumble about how not delaying it would be a grave injustice.
The judge barreled onward, hearing a pretrial motion Jeffs' lawyers had previously filed seeking to suppress evidence from when Jeffs was arrested after a 2006 traffic stop in Nevada. "Is the defense ready to proceed?" she asked.
(Excerpt) Read more at mysanantonio.com ...
Apparently (according the article I posted) they have the absolute right to represent themselves. I agree, she’d probably be reversed if she didn’t allow it. The guy is so devious, though, that I sincerely think he’s got a plan, however crazy it might be. I hope security is tight.
I can’t imagine the people in the San Angelo area will react like other, recent juries and let his perv go free. But I wonder in the future if Muslims will be treated the same as Fundamental Mormons. Somehow I think not.
Exactly...
A man like him is capable of anything.
No way...
People had better start thinking about how they want their children to be raised. Assaults on our culture come from everywhere—this whole “multicultural” thing is a trojan horse to let in all the worst ills of the entire planet. It is not enough to “live and let live”—they want to change our ways to how they lived in whatever h*ll hole they came from. And that includes polygamy and child “brides.” Really, people, is that what you want for your children? Or grandchildren? Whether it’s fLDS or Islam, it’s just wrong.
I hope he gets life in prison with a bunch of gang bangers who turn him into their bitch.
Throw in the third world invaders and it is scary to think what this country will be like in 20 years
WOW...
That would be actual justice.
I look like a mild middle aged Mom and wife, but there is a fighter hidden in here somewhere when it comes to perverts! lol
...:)
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Jeffs defends polygamy during sex assault trial
Polygamist religious leader Warren Jeffs has broken hours of silence in a West Texas courtroom with a lengthy sermon defending plural marriage as a constitutional freedom.
By WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press
SAN ANGELO, Texas —
Polygamist religious leader Warren Jeffs has broken hours of silence in a West Texas courtroom with a lengthy sermon defending plural marriage as a constitutional freedom.
Jeffs is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child and is representing himself.
The ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints broke his silence Friday by objecting to an FBI FBI agent’s testimony about records seized at his church’s compound during a 2008 raid. Jeffs then talked for nearly an hour.
The 55-year-old ecclesiastical Jeffs said his church has practiced five generations of polygamy as ordered by God, a higher power than U.S. courts.
Jeffs ended by saying “amen,” then repeatedly interrupted a prosecutor’s response.
About what we expected, eh? And so on target with your post, Metmom!
Let him have at it. He’s only going to bury himself good and deep with that strategy and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
I wonder where all the FLDS defenders are now?
Works for me.
I hope he gets life in prison with a bunch of gang bangers who turn him into their bitch.
I couldn't have said it better!
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/29/us-polygamy-trial-texas-idUSTRE76S5UR20110729
I'm getting this info from tweets - so take it for what that's worth.
He threatened the jury, interrupted the prosecution and Judge Walther had to warn him to sit down and observe the decorum of the Court multiple times.
The jury is alternately sitting with crossed arms or staring with looks of amazement.
Miz - if you feel it's appropriate, ping the list.
The irony of an arranged marriage in Huntsville
To that I say amen.
Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs interrupted his Texas child sexual assault trial on Friday, shouting that his religious rights were being violated and warning the court it was stomping on "sacred ground".
"This is not a fly-by-night religious organization," Jeffs shouted in front of the startled jurors in the San Angelo courtroom, referring to the breakaway Mormon sect he leads.
Dang, sure seemed fly by night to me...
Pinging the Warren Jeffs trial ping list--if anyone wants on or off, let me know via freepmail!
SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) — A polygamist group leader says unless his trial on sexual assault charges is halted, those involved will face "sickness and death."
Warren Jeffs has been representing himself against accusations he sexually assaulted two underage girls. He spoke for nearly an hour Thursday, while objecting to testimony about evidence FBI agents seized from his group's compound in Texas.
After Judge Barbara Walther overruled his objection, he told her he had to read a statement from God.
Walther dismissed the jury, and the head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints read a statement saying God demanded the trial end or "sickness and death" would come to all involved.
(Excerpt--click the link for the rest...)
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