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 ...
Reality is a b!tch for someone who fancied himself a god.
I LOVE it!
Dude! Wake up! The rest of us don't think you speak for God!
LOL—I suspect the one who needs to be concerned about what’s said in the Bible just might be Warren Jeffs!
She also covered her bases by requiring at least one of his defense attorneys be available at all times for consult.
Insanity is measured by your ability to understand the charges against you and assist in you own defense.
By talking about polygamy and religion - it's importance to him he's framed the arguments in such a way to demonstrate he understands them.
When he rose to object to LE about the ‘Bishops List’ he demonstrated - in a weird way - but non the less that he could assist in his own defense.
I don't think he'll be getting a ticket to Vernon, TX any time soon. Maybe put in time out by Judge Walthers, though.
, but they weren’t able to present “a pure defense.”
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IOW, they don’t consider him a prophet.
He wants to appeal the verdict on the basis of not having adequate representation
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If he is representing himself, he cannot appeal on that basis. Someone would have to prove that Jeffs was incompetent before he fired his attorneys and remained so through the end of the trial, then based upon him being declared legally incompetent, could file an appeal.
However, thinking you are a prophet who talks to God, is not the basis for being declared legally incompetent.
pinged hubby to this as well.
Hes just channeling Joey Smith
How brainwashed can parents be to allow this...
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You have no idea. I knew several polygamous families when I lived in Utah. For these parents, they were probably proud and flattered that their child was ‘chosen’ by the prophet, because that would ensure them (through marriage to one of the prophets of the last dispensation) godhood.
I’m not kidding. This is how their minds work.
I agree, shed probably be reversed if she didnt allow it.
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It is possible but not likely unless they could prove judicial misconduct and a higher court would have to step in during the trial.
I do know judges can and have compelled attorneys to stay on a case.
Courtesy ping to my attorney.
I wonder where all the FLDS defenders are now?
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I know a couple opus’d out and a couple more got zotted for unrelated issues.
I know there are still a few around, though.
Well since, IIRC, this is the last one and all the others were convicted, they must figure there is no point defending the indefensible.
Let's hope this jury is not as dumb as the Casey Anthony jury. The C.A. jury would be dumb enough to give Jeffs the benefit of the doubt.
These parents who turned over their young daughters should be prosecuted. It's a conspiracy by an entire group of people to sexually abuse children.
I hope he gets a lot of 'reality.'
Wow. The gang’s all here! Hi, guys!
Add me to the list, please. :)
These parents who turned over their young daughters should be prosecuted. It’s a conspiracy by an entire group of people to sexually abuse children.
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I never said they didn’t or that it wasn’t abuse. I was explaining their mindset. They not only do not see it as abuse, they see it as a blessing and as a privilege, that they are ‘worthy’ enough for their child to be chosen by the Prophet.
It goes to show the deep level of brainwashing these people go under.
I am sure we will be seeing them shortly. May take a few threads but they will come.
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1667114
HT - To my buddy Stamp on texasflds.wordpress.com.
May take a few threads but they will come.
“If you post it, they will come”. :)
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