| Jeffs to be tried Trial slated to begin on April 23rd | |||||
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By Patrice St. Germain patrices@thespectrum.com | |||||
ST. GEORGE - Judge James L. Shumate ruled Thursday that polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs will be bound over for a jury trial. Shumate made the ruling following Jeffs' preliminary hearing. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 23. Jeffs, 51, entered a not guilty plea on two counts of rape as an accomplice, which each carry a possible sentence of five years to life. Although Jeffs' defense attorney Walter Bugden claimed in closing arguments that the phrase "go forth and multiply" was a traditional religious spiel used in marriages and did not specify to have sexual intercourse, lead prosecuting attorney Ryan Shaum said other than medical intervention, the phrase does indicate having sexual relations. "In totality, what else can it possibly mean?" Shaum asked. Shaum also said that Jeffs had undue influence over Jane Doe IV, the alleged rape victim in the case, because Jeffs had not only been her religious leader, but also the principal and teacher at Alta Academy, a private school that has since closed. The school was run by Jeffs, who later became the prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when his father's health began to fail. Shaum said that once Doe was married to her first cousin, identified as John Doe, he also became a person of influence in her life. Bugden argued that references to being subservient and obedient to one's husband are used in numerous religions and marriage vows - not just the FLDS church. Doe testified last month, however, that due to her religious upbringing, her salvation was at stake and she had to go through with the marriage even though she had told Jeffs that at 14 she was too young to marry and did not even like her intended husband. Bugden argued that Doe never specifically told Jeffs she was uncomfortable having sexual intercourse with her husband or that she was being forced to have intercourse. Shaum argued that although those words were not used, Jeffs understood what Doe was talking about. Doe said last month that she told Jeffs her husband touched her in her private places and she did not like husband-wife relations. Jeffs allegedly told her to give herself to her husband - mind, body and soul. While no bail hearing has been set for Jeffs, who remains incarcerated at Purgatory Correctional Facility, he did waive extradition to Arizona following the completion of his trial in Utah to answer to charges in Mohave County. About 15 members of the FLDS church attended Thursday's court hearing, all of whom stood when Jeffs walked into the courtroom accompanied by a court bailiff. After sitting down, Jeffs turned to look at the members of the church and exchanged smiles and nods with them. Following court, Bugden gave a brief statement and said although he was disappointed at the decision Shumate made to bind his client over for trial, he was not surprised. He said Jeffs "is at peace" and believed his client would be acquitted. Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap also gave a brief statement and said Jeffs is still presumed innocent until proven guilty. Belnap also said his office would take appropriate action at the appropriate time against John Doe, who has not been charged with any crime to date. Belnap discussed a payment Jane Doe had received from the state. Belnap said that payment, in excess of $16,000, came from a safe passage grant through the state to pay Doe and her family for lost wages, moving and taking the family to a secure location. Bugden had brought up that the County Attorney's Office had contacted Doe's attorney in a civil case against Jeffs. Deputy County Attorney Brian Filter said there were discussions with the attorney, Roger Hoole, about how the case was proceeding and that was the extent of the conversations. | |||||
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TheSpectrum.com Originally published December 15, 2006 | |||||
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