| Mormon leader found guilty for being accomplice to rape | |
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By Daphne Bramham, CanWest News Service Vancouver Sun | |
ST. GEORGE, Utah - Warren Jeffs, the prophet of the largest polygamous group in North America, has been found guilty of two counts of being an accomplice to the rape of a 14-year-old by her 19-year-old first cousin. Jeffs, 51, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for counselling Elissa Wall to go ahead, against her will, with the placement marriage to Allen Steed. Jeffs performed the wedding ceremony, urging them to "go forth and multiply." Wall testified that when she went to Jeffs and told him that her husband was touching her in places and ways that made her uncomfortable, Jeffs told her to "repent" and give herself "mind, body and soul" to her husband. Jeffs and his followers are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mormons who claim to be the only true and faithful followers of Joseph Smith, Mormonism's founder. The forefathers of the 8,000-member FLDS split with the mainstream church, which suspended the earthly practice of polygamy in 1890. The jury of five men and three women deliberated for 17 heated and, at times, raucous hours before reaching the unanimous decision. Juror Deidre Shaw, a 32-year-old stay-at-home mom, said at one point she thought there was going to be a fist fight. At another point, a marking pen was thrown across the room. Jeffs stood emotionless as the verdict was read. He agreed with his lawyers to have a pre-sentence investigation, which means sentencing could be delayed for 45 days or more. "I have followed my heart and spoke the truth," said Wall, who agreed to have her name published and is now in witness protection, after the verdict. The trial, she said, was not about religion, and wasn't the vendetta Jeffs' three attorneys attempted to make it out to be. "It's simply about child abuse and preventing future abuse," she said. Wall said she hoped by her example that others will realize they don't have to surrender their rights or give up their spiritual sovereignty. She had a message for her mother, Sharon, and her sisters who are still members of the FLDS and remain loyal to Jeffs. "Mother, I love you and my sisters unconditionally. I understand and respect your convictions and I will not give up on you," she said. Wall went on to say that she still has "tender feelings" for people in the FLDS, and prays they will have the "strength to step back and re-examine what they've been led to believe." Prosecutor Brock Belnap told reporters, "One of the highlights of my entire life will always be the courage of Elissa Wall. It has been an honour to stand alongside a woman who spoke out to stop the practice of abuse against enormous odds and enormous power." Belnap said that she exhibited immense strength to withstand the attacks in the courtroom on her honour, dignity and credibility. Walter Bugden, Jeffs' attorney, said an appeal is likely. After Jeffs is sentenced in Utah, he will be transported from Purgatory Correctional Facility, where he has been since his arrest last August, to Arizona. There, he faces five counts of sexual conduct with a minor, four counts of incest and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. Wall is expected to be a key witness in that case as well. In addition, Jeffs - who was a fugitive for nearly two years and was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List for almost four months - is charged with two federal counts of unlawful flight from prosecution. Meanwhile, ex-members of the polygamist community of Bountiful, B.C., have renewed calls for the province's lawmakers to prosecute polygamists on this side of the border. "It's about time one of these polygamist cult leaders that has caused as much damage and horrific crimes against women, children and men is held accountable," said Debbie Palmer, who grew up in Bountiful and was assigned to marry 57-year-old Ray Blackmore when she was 15. Palmer was assigned to two other men after marrying Blackmore, and bore seven children before she left the community 24 years ago with all her children. B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal said the unanimous decision by the U.S. jurors, finding Jeffs guilty for being an accomplice, is "very unusual," but sends a clear message they believed he committed a crime. Oppal said his office may look at similar charges in Bountiful but, at this stage, is focusing on trying to get criminal charges laid in connection with allegations of polygamy in the community. Polygamy is illegal in Canada - it was banned in Canada's first Criminal Code in 1892 - but prosecutions are rare. | |
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canada.com Originally published Tuesday, September 25, 2007 | |
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