Skip to main content.
Related sites:
Religion News Blog is a non-profit service providing academics, religion professionals and other researchers with religion & cult news
ReligionNewsBlog

Religion news articles about religious cults, sects, world religions, and related issues

Navigation:
Web religionnewsblog.com
Home | Site Menu | About RNB | RNB Store | Cult FAQ | Cult Experts | Apologetics Index | Cult Information Search Engine


Related

More news articles & news archive on FLDS, Polygamy


Advertisements *

Advertise on Religion News Blog Advertise Here *
Simple steps to financial health and a good credit score


Elsewhere

The facts behind the Da Vinci Code fiction


FLDS, Polygamy:

Court bars Warren Jeffs jailhouse words

The Salt Lake Tribune, USA
July 21, 2007
Brooke Adams
www.sltrib.com
  • Article Tools  • Share This Story

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 18791 • Posted: Saturday July 21, 2007  

Click here... More articles on this topic: FLDS, Polygamy

Judge refers to the ‘prejudicial impact’ of such statements

ST. GEORGE - Prosecutors will not be able to use jailhouse statements made by polygamous sect leader Warren S. Jeffs in his upcoming trial, a judge ruled Friday.

Fifth District Judge James L. Shumate said he may revisit his decision if evidence presented at trial “overpowers” the “prejudicial impact” of the statements.

Earlier in the week, Shumate had characterized them as “of such a nature that to disseminate them in any way, shape or form” would impair Jeffs’ right to a fair trial.

“We’re happy with the judge’s rulings that some of the evidence the state was trying to introduce was inadmissable,” said Walter Bugden, one of Jeffs’ three attorneys, as he left the courthouse.

That ruling, which came after an hour-long private meeting with attorneys in the judge’s chambers, was the most decisive of four victories for Jeffs’ defense team.

The judge agreed that during the trial, set to begin Sept. 10, the young woman at the crux of the charges against Jeffs will be referred to by her last name, rather than as the “victim.” Early court documents and the media have referred to her as Jane Doe.

Jeffs also will be addressed by his surname, rather than as the “defendant,” the judge said. Use of names avoids prejudicial characterizations, he said.

“Let’s just use names and not have any problems,” Shumate said.

Jeffs is charged with two felony counts of being an accomplice to rape. The counts stem from a 2001 marriage Jeffs allegedly conducted with a 14-year-old bride who objected to the union.

The judge also set a day-long hearing for Aug. 20 to hear the testimony offered by state witnesses Richard Holm and Jethro Barlow. Both men are former members of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the sect run by Jeffs.

The judge will then decide whether they will testify during the trial.



Making perfect cappuccino has never before been this easy! Buy the Bialetti Mukka Express 2-Cup Cow-Print Stovetop Cappuccino Maker. Also available in Polished Aluminum.

Barlow was an accountant for the church, many of its businesses and several high-ranking members before he left the faith in 2003. Holm was a leading businessman in the community before he was exiled in 2003 by Jeffs.

According to statements made to investigators, the men would describe how underage marriages increased under Jeffs’ leadership and discuss his dictates to couples about their sex lives.

“We believe these two witnesses can help lay further foundation as to the workings of this community and its adherence to Mr. Jeffs” and his teachings, assistant Washington County prosecutor Ryan Shaum said in court Friday.

Defense attorneys argue the men are disgruntled ex-FLDS members who didn’t like Jeffs’ leadership style and have been outspoken critics of him. Their testimony would be irrelevant and cause the jury to make a decision based on an “overmastering” hostility toward Jeffs, said attorney Tara Isaacson.

“Mr. Jeffs is charged with being an accomplice to rape, not with how he managed the church, or with underage marriage,” she said.

The judge also decided prosecutors can proceed only with an allegation that Jeffs was involved in enticing Jane Doe to engage in sexual intimacy with her husband, and cannot argue that he coerced her.

Shumate said he found no evidence during an April preliminary hearing that the young girl had received any “garden variety” threats of harm.

For the first time, Jeffs’ mother, Merilyn Steed, attended the public portions of the hearing. As she entered, she mouthed “Hi” to Jeffs. Several brothers, including Nephi Jeffs, and about 20 supporters also attended the hearing.



Religion News Blog RSS feed Subscribe: Religion News Blog RSS feed  |  Religion News Blog RSS feed Subscribe by topic: FLDS, Polygamy
more cult news articlemore religion news More articles about FLDS, Polygamy

Like this story?

Today's Most Popular Articles

Doctor Says...

Share this

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:




Article and Site Tools

» PermaLink to: Court bars Warren Jeffs jailhouse words
   Need a shorter link? You can remove everything after the final /
» More news articles + news archive on FLDS, Polygamy
» More religion and cult news

Subscribe (RSS / Email) [What is RSS?]
» RSS News Feed - All Topics: Religion News Blog RSS Feed
» RSS News Feed - Single Topic: FLDS, Polygamy
» Headlines by Email: Daily Religion News Blog Headlines

More Article Tools
• Bookmark / Tag: Del.icio.us
• Bookmark / Tag: Furl
Save this article
Email this article
Print this article [Temporarily out of order]

More Information
Books about FLDS
Relevant books (and other goodies)

more religion news aboutmore Religion News Blog articles about

About Religion News Blog
Religion News Blog (RNB), published by Apologetics Index, highlights news items and other resources on world religions, cults, religious sects, alternative religions and related issues. RNB's non-profit news clipping service is used by - among others - Christian apologists, countercult professionals, anticult organizations, cult experts, teachers, religion professionals, reporters and other researchers.