| Details of Jeffs' jail life emerge | |
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By Ben Winslow Deseret Morning News | |
Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs has spent hours in his cell, on his knees, praying. "There have been long periods where he has been observed kneeling and praying so much so that he developed ulcers on his knees," Dr. Eric Nielsen wrote in a mental competency evaluation released Tuesday. "There have been periods where he has spent several hours on his knees without adjusting his position. He also had been refusing food and liquid during this period." A judge in St. George's 5th District Court released the confidential reports after finding the FLDS leader competent to stand trial on two counts of first-degree felony rape as an accomplice. He also unsealed a petition requesting the evaluation, expressing concern by Jeffs' lawyers about his mental state. The evaluation diagnoses Jeffs as suffering from "Depressive Disorder, NOS (Not Otherwise Specified), which includes significant features of agitation and depression." At one point, Jeffs was on medication, but has since discontinued it. Portions of the reports have been whited out, as 5th District Judge James Shumate promised he would. He revealed in court Friday that he ordered the evaluation after Jeffs appeared in court on March 27. During that appearance, Jeffs appeared skeletal and frail. He appeared to be dozing off and, at one point, drooled on himself. "All three defense counsel believe that the defendant had great difficulty tracking with the proceedings, difficulty standing, and difficulty with his balance," defense attorney Walter Bugden Jr. wrote in a petition requesting the evaluation. The next few paragraphs have been blanked out, but Bugden closed it by saying "the impairment and diminished mental capacity" deprived Jeffs of the ability to engage in his legal strategies and options, behave appropriately in court and perhaps testify. A pair of doctors evaluated Jeffs at the Purgatory Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail. The reports give glimpses into the life of the FLDS leader both in and out of jail. "Mr. Jeffs lives in Hildale, UT, with his wife. He reported fathering children," Dr. Tim Kockler wrote in his evaluation. The report said Jeffs claimed employment through "the church." He has not had any significant medical problems. Kockler noted a problem about six years ago, but the judge redacted that portion of the report. Jeffs denied having any thoughts of murder or suicide, the report said. "He commented, 'My religion is one of peace,"' Kockler wrote. Nielsen said Jeffs denied having any hallucinations, but said he sometimes has "impressions" and that he believes in "inspiration." He denied having any special powers, telling the doctor: "I don't consider myself special." The next few lines in Nielsen's report have been whited out, but they appear to deal with his mental state before his March 27 court appearance. Nielsen wrote that he asked Jeffs about what was going on for him at the time. "He said, 'I'll say I'm feeling a lot better and encouraged. I'm doing better,"' Nielsen wrote, adding that Jeffs attributed it to "prayer and study." Nielsen noted that jail staff believed Jeffs suffered from anxiety. His weight dropped from 136 pounds to 130, prompting concern (Jeffs is six-foot-four). Jeffs was on an undisclosed medication, but stopped taking it when he was told he didn't have to. "I didn't feel like I needed it," Jeffs told Nielsen. Both Bugden and defense attorney Richard Wright indicated that Jeffs had been deteriorating for about a month prior to the March 27 court appearance. In January, Jeffs was rushed to the hospital for an undisclosed medical problem. Washington County Sheriff's deputies said at the time that he underwent a series of tests and was cleared to return to his jail cell. While both doctors diagnosed Jeffs with depressive disorder, they believe he is competent to stand trial. The doctors said Jeffs was very guarded about answering any questions about the criminal case against him, going so far as to refuse to answer even hypothetical questions. The FLDS leader said his lawyers told him not to answer questions about his defense. "Mr. Jeffs stated that he has been working very well with his attorneys and denied any current disagreements," Kockler wrote. Jeffs, 51, is accused of performing a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. He was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for a brief time leading to his capture last year. A judge has set a two week trial starting September 10. E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com | |
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deseretnews.com Originally published Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | |
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