Evidence Redacted in FLDS Member Trial
 
Reported by: Laura Kellerman
KTAB Abilene
Raymond Jessop

The child sexual assault case of FLDS member Raymond Merril Jessop continues today.

The trial continued Tuesday with no jury, while judge Barbara Walther considered whether certain pieces of evidence could be admitted. She ruled the state will have to redact references to polygamy involving Jessop and other FLDS members, since polygamy isn't a charge in the trial.

The alleged victim's marriage record will be allowed, but not other marriage records.

Jessop is charged with sexual assault of a child. Texas' deputy attorney general Eric Nichols claims Jessop married a 16-year-old girl five years ago, who then gave birth to a child. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Texas Ranger Jesse Valdez testified being on the Yearning for Zion Ranch ranch during the raid in April 2008 and described the inside of the temple annex vault where evidence was seized.

Pictures presented by the state show that the walls of the interior were reinforced with concrete and the door resembled a fixed bank vault door.

The case is being tried in Eldorado, Schleicher County. The county's courthouse is too small for such a trial, so it will take place in a next-door municipal building.

The trial was halted last Thursday when one of the juror's children came down with the flu.
 
bigcountryhomepage.com
Originally published Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009
 
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