Posted on 08/08/2011 8:41:57 AM PDT by MizSterious
* By Matthew Waller
* San Angelo Standard Times
* Posted August 7, 2011 at 9:56 p.m., updated August 7, 2011 at 10:43 p.m.
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Warren Jeffs' trial could end this week, depending on what a defense attorney chooses to do for the punishment phase of the polygamous sect leader.
The prosecution said it had about two solid days of testimony when the punishment phase of Jeffs' trial started late Thursday.
Earlier that day, Jeffs, 55, the leader and "prophet" of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl and of sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.
The state alleges an array of "bad acts" by Jeffs, including six instances of illegal sexual conduct and taking part in hundreds of bigamous marriages, all before running from the FBI and threatening governments with God's judgment. He also had 78 of his own "wives," the state said, including 24 to underage girls.
The FLDS sanctions taking "spiritual" or "celestial" wives to circumvent bigamy laws.
The jury heard testimony amid the tears of two witnesses who claimed to have been victims of Jeffs, that he allegedly abused a girl who was almost 8 and a boy who was 5 more than 20 years ago.
"If I told anyone, I would burn in hell," Brett Jeffs said his uncle told him when he was allegedly raped in a bathroom while Warren Jeffs' brothers stood guard outside.
(Excerpt) Read more at gosanangelo.com ...
From the article:
Jeffs' defense attorney, Deric Walpole, told the jury he would rely on the prosecution's case to let it be seen that Jeffs was, to some degree, a product of his environment and has religious reasons for his actions.
An environment he helped to create, from most accounts, but there you have it.
That pathetic troll is back in the news?
I believe Jeffs attorney has a steep uphill climb with this jury regarding Jeffs religion after them hearing those tapes, and rightfully so.
I just hope that one of the child abuses they discuss in that courtroom today includes the practice of waterboarding babies to train them not to cry. And of course the “lost boys.” TRU TV is talking about the waterboarding now.
Have you ever heard how many ‘lost boys’ were kicked out?
Sin. It all catches up eventually.
No, but I know it’s a fairly high number. Just boggles the mind.
Between all the groups it is in the thousands, but I don’t think anyone has ever tried to formally count them.
Isn’t it illegal to kick so many underage boys out on the street? Can’t Jeffs and the other men in authority be prosecuted for that?
This is in a Texas court. The sentencing phase will not go well for the defense. It’s going to be a tough life for Jeffs from here on out.
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Pictures introduced into evidence this morning on day 12 of the trial of Warren Jeffs showed stacks of $100 bills, sunglasses, wigs and cellphones.
The materials came from the Cadillac Escalade in which the 55-year-old leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was captured in 2006, FBI Agent John Broadway testified.
Prosecutors continued to present evidence today in the penalty phase of the trial. Jeffs has been convicted of sexual assault of a child and aggravated sexual assault of a child. The 10-woman, two-man Tom Green County jury is now hearing arguments, testimony and evidence to determine what Jeffs' punishment will be. He could be sentenced for up to 119 years in prison if given the maximum sentence on both counts to be served consecutively.
"He is to tell the government officials we are peaceful," a prosecutor for the state read to the jury from documents that came from the Yearning for Zion Ranch, concerning Jeffs' instructions to ranch dwellers about what they were to tell law enforcement. But if the officials tried to enter the temple, "our men must fight to the death," the document continued.
(Excerpt, read the rest at San Angelo Standard Times. Emphasis mine.)
Absolutely. Hopefully both will be brought out, they’re animalistic practices.
Perhaps the state of Texas will take that one up next. There is so much abuse, so many crimes in this cult that it must be difficult sorting out which should be prosecuted first. In Utah, AZ, and CO, they just need a bigger rug to sweep it all under.
Child rape is a religious practice protected under the Constitution?
How about human sacrifice as well? There are religions which practice that as part of their *worship*.
Protecting abominations and immorality with the cloak of religious freedom is NOT what the Founding Fathers intended, I am sure of that.
Luckily, this is a Texas trial, and I don’t believe that argument will set well with this jury. In other states, who knows.
My biggest hope is that no one on that jury has YFZ for their home address!
re: My biggest hope is that no one on that jury has YFZ for their home address!
Yes, if he were to have a “jury of his peers” he would be let off completely.
That is a disgrace. Is there no hope for those states?
What instructions are being given the members..."Do NOT read the newspapers, do NOT watch the TV, do NOT surf the internet or listen to the radio for ANY information about Warren Jeffs. If you happen to hear something about him, immediately drop down on your knees and pray that God will sear this information from your memory in the way of a burning in the bosom!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.