Jeffs continues to interrupt prosecution
 
By Staff Report
San Angelo Standard-Times
 
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Warren Jeffs continued to interrupt with objection speeches while the prosecution got through six witnesses and ended trial at 4:50 p.m. The trial will resume Monday at 9 a.m.

The interruptions were so frequent that the bailiff turned off and moved away the microphone of the 55-year-old leader and prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

"I, the Lord God of heaven, call upon the court to cease this prosecution against my pure, holy way. ... I shall let all peoples know of your unjust way. ... I shall send a scourge upon the counties of prosecutorial zeal to be humbled by sickness and death," Jeffs said, in a written statement that he said had been revealed to him by God.

About an hour into the fifth day of his sexual assault trial, Warren Jeffs broke his silence when the prosecution attempted to submit as evidence a 2004 list of the names of his wives and family at the Yearning for Zion Ranch.

At 10:25 a.m., Jeffs rose to object, delivering an almost hourlong speech during which he argued for the right to polygamy under religious freedom.

Jeffs, who faces up to 119 years in prison if convicted on both counts of child sexual assault, said the record of a person living at the FLDS Yearning for Zion Ranch meant the government was trampling on his First Amendments rights. It was the first time he had spoken with the jury present. The guilt-innocence phase of the trial began Thursday afternoon after Jeffs fired his attorneys and was granted permission by the judge to represent himself.

"You are now touching that which is sacred," Jeffs said, standing alone at the table, during his objection speech. "Thus on these grounds we call upon this court to render justice before sacred trust is trampled upon."

Jeffs said no children were being harmed, that they were well educated and well groomed, and he complained of mockery among outsiders, saying his group is not a "fly-by-night religious society."

He became adamant, using hand motions for the first time as he progressed in his speech.

"This must cease," he said, repeatedly.

He said it was imperative that the FLDS follow the law set out for it by God.

Jeffs said the raid on the YFZ Ranch was illegal and that those who have already been convicted of sexual assault are innocent. The raid on the ranch came because of a hoax call from someone claiming abuse at the ranch, and evidence gathered from the search and seizure, including documents from the temple building, has been used against FLDS members.

"If we do not live these laws we are damned here and hereafter," Jeffs said. "We believe in a marriage system of eternity called celestial marriage, wherein celestial means heavenly authorized, not to be intervened by government intervention."

Jeffs ended his speech with an "Amen."

For the first hour of today's proceedings, Jeffs remained silent, not objecting to evidence or questioning witnesses.

After special prosecutor Eric Nichols responded to Jeffs' speech, turning to jurors and giving case law that shows U.S. courts have repeatedly ruled against polygamy and sexual assault of a child. Jeffs interrupted Nichols at least five times, as well as 51st District Judge Barbara Walther, who promptly recessed the court and ordered that Jeffs' standby counsel advise him about maintaining court decorum.

In an interview Thursday, Patrick Metze, the director of criminal clinics for the Texas Tech School of Law, predicted that Jeffs wouldn't make it through the entire trial alone, especially if he chooses to preach.

"At some point, the judge will have had enough, so it's not going to be a pleasant experience and she's not just going to let him proselytize," Metze said.

Thursday, Jeffs was given leave by Walther to represent himself, but his defense team remains available in case Jeffs determines he needs a lawyer.

Nichols methodically began laying out his case before the jury Thursday afternoon, delivering an opening address, calling witnesses and entering exhibits. Jeffs remained mute through the process, failing to deliver an opening address and entering no objections or cross examination of witnesses.

This is a breaking news story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
 
gosanangelo.com
Originally published July 29, 2011
 
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