Posted on 06/20/2008 3:36:08 PM PDT by Flo Nightengale
A lawyer for the 16-year-old daughter of polygamist group leader Warren Jeffs is requesting a restraining order to prevent a spokesman for the group from intimidating and harassing the girl.
The request for a restraining order against Willie Jessop was filed in San Angelo today by Natalie Malonis.
The teenager was one of the hundreds of children taken from the Yearning For Zion Ranch by Texas Child Protective Services in April because investigators believed they were exposed to abuse by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Her name is not being disclosed because Malonis has said that she is a victim of sexual abuse.
Malonis, of Dallas, maintains in her request that Jessop has ''engaged in conduct designed to intimidate and harrass'' Malonis and her client.
Several sources close to the case have indicated that the girl is expected to be asked to testify before a Schleicher County grand jury, which next week will begin hearing the state of Texas' criminal case against FLDS members.
Malonis' request comes one day after investigators from the Texas Attorney General's Office attempted to serve the girl with a subpoena, but were unable to locate her.
''I believe that (the girl) was avoiding service because of coercion and improper influence from Willie Jessop,'' the request states.
Jessop called the petition "outrageous."
"She's trying to blame me for her client not liking her," he said today. "It shows her pathetic mindset. The only thing I ever did was try to get them together."
Jessop disputed the notion that he has attempted to intimidate Malonis or her client
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
I’ve always wondered...when asked do you promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth...what happens if a person says no?:’)
Do you think that testifying before a Grand Jury is a risk free endeavor?
LOL, never thought of that. Have seen them swear to and then lie through their teeth.
We might get some rain shortly. Missed a good chance earlier, but it hit our county line and turned. Another one coming, but I don’t think anything will get to you.
Yes, everyone lies, especially to themselves and to those closest to them. I have noticed the biggest liars are those who truly believe that they are truthful.
Honesty and true understanding is a rare commodity.
No one will ever know the truth. I am not sure that the truth even exists anymore. History is being rewritten before our eyes.
1. an attorney (attorney ad litem)
2. a court-appointed special advocate (guardian ad litem)
Yes and they aren't the same are they?
I see that. We had a line come thru yesterday but it was west of us.
We need it badly here, don’t know about your area. We’re starting to get brush fires weekly.
Thou shalt not lie???
The following excerpt is from a deposition taken Feb. 16, 2006 as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a grain elevator from the Four Square Mill in Colorado City, Ariz.
A court-appointed fiduciary maintains the elevator belongs to a community property trust created by residents of Colorado City and the adjoining city of Hildale, Utah. The cities are home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamous sect. After losing control of the trust to civil authorities, FLDS church leaders allegedly told members to “answer them nothing” regarding the trust’s operation.
Exchange between Attorney Zachary Shields, representing fiduciary Bruce Wisan; Attorney Greg Hoole, representing plaintiffs who’ve sued the trust, and Joseph Johnson (FLDS) of Four Square Mill, who claimed the elevator was moveable personal property and did not belong to the trust.
Attorney Zachary Shields: Are you affiliated with an operation or a company known as Four Square Mill?
Joseph Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: You decline to answer whether you’re affiliated with Four Square Mill?
Johnson: Yes.
Shields: Why do you decline to answer that?
Johnson: What’s your next question?
Shields: Why do you decline to answer that question?
Johnson: I have a right to remain silent, don’t I?
Shields: Are you invoking the Fifth Amendment privilege to remain silent?
Johnson: Yes.
Shields: Now, you are aware the Fifth Amendment privilege is - applies to statements that would make your subject to criminal liability? Is it your testimony that your answering that question could pose criminal liability?
Johnson: Now, what? ‘Off the record discussion takes place about proper use of Fifth Amendment privilege.”
Shields: Mr. Johnson, are you affiliated with a company or a facility known as the Four Square Mill?
Johnson: Still want to exercise my Fifth Amendment.
Shields: What is your position at Four Square Milling?
Johnson: Why do you need to know that?
Shields: I’m entitled to ask any questions. It’s very relevant to your testimony here today.
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Johnson produces a receipt he argues shows the grain elevator belongs to the mill.
Shields: How can you prove ownership on behalf of Four Square Milling? And until and unless I have testimony that you have any authority on behalf of Four Square Milling, how do I know that you can prove ownership? How do I know you’re not just a stranger off the street to Four Square Milling?
Johnson: Why did you serve me a subpoena?
Shields: Because I understand that you have information about the Four Square Milling. Do you?
Johnson: Okay. I’m the owner of Four Square Milling.
Shields: Okay. How long have you been the owner?
Johnson: I don’t know.
Shields: Were you the owner in 1996?
Johnson: No.
Shields: Who was?
Johnson: I’m not going to answer that.
Shields: Isn’t it true that everything Four Square Milling owns is actually an asset of the ‘United Effort Plan Trust’, a charitable trust set up for FLDS members”?
Johnson: I decline to answer that question.
Shields: What’s the status of the mill now? Is it operating?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: How is that question relevant to the Fifth Amendment? Do you decline to answer that question, too?
Johnson: Yes.
Shields: Is there any grain in the silos at the Four Square Mill at this time? Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: Did the mill shut down in recent months?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: Do you decline to answer anything to do with the present status of the mill?
Johnson: Yes.
Shields: What about the intended future of the mill? Johnson: I decline to answer that too.
Shields: How about the grain elevator system? Where is it today?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Johnson: Do you understand anything about feed mill equipment?
Shields: Not a lot. Why don’t you tell me about it.
Johnson: I don’t either.
Shields: But you’re the owner of the company?
Johnson: We’re talking about the elevator here. Isn’t that the issue?
Shields: ‘We’re” talking about everything that was removed from the building. Has anything else been removed from the Four Square Mill in the last two years?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: But your testimony is the value of the elevator that was removed - what is your best estimate of the value of the elevator that was removed?
Johnson: I don’t think it’s worth a thousand bucks.
Shields: Why was it removed, then?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: Was it sold to somebody?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: Were you paid any money for it?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: So what facts do you have to support your assertion that this was moveable?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: So your purpose in coming here today is to try to justify the removal of the grain elevator system?
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Shields: Isn’t it true that the FLDS church asked you or were involved in the removal of the grain elevator system?
Johnson: I decline to answer that again.
Attorney Greg Hoole: So my question is, I’d like you to explain to me what your understanding is of Mr. Shields’ warning to you regarding improperly invoking the Fifth Amendment.
Johnson: I decline to answer that.
Hoole: On what basis?
Johnson: Fifth Amendment.
http://blogs.sltrib.com/plurallife/2006/03/grain-elevator-deposition.htm
For this little FLDS girl? Yes!
They are 2 different people.
The child’s attorney is Natalie Malonis.
The child’s guardian is Connie Gauwain.
Both Malonis and Gauwain allege that Willie Jessop has intimidated and improperly influenced the 16-year-old girl
You're not implying that the man cannot exercise his rights under the 5th amendment are you?
Yeah . It’s been weeks since it rained. I had to tear down my garden. Too hot.
Our tomatoes are cooking on the vine! Does make supper quicker. LOL
Looks like this one has split and will go on either side of us. :(
I bring this up because somebody may be worried about what this girl will say.
I was simply agreeing with you : )
Both Malonis and Gauwain allege that Willie Jessop has intimidated and improperly influenced the 16-year-old girl
And they didn't?
And when she refuses to testify, they are going to say good for you? You don’t know the legal system very well.
Sure he can, but it’s still a lie. Sort of like using the turkey baster defense.
She supposedly became a ‘spiritual wife’ shortly after her 15th birthday to a man more then twice her age. I think someone is very worried about what she’d say.
You claim to be the one who knows the answer before asking the question: is that what they’ll say to her?
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