Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

More Crime & Courts Stories»

Warren Jeffs Fathered Child With 15-Year-Old: Expert

DNA makes forensic expert '99.99%' certain polygamist is the father

By Tim Karan, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 1, 2011 3:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – Warren Jeffs sure could use a good defense attorney right about now. A DNA expert testified today that there's a 99.99% chance that the embattled polygamist leader fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl, reports the AP. Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, fired his lawyers last week.

The forensic analyst says that a DNA sample taken from the teen's child has 15 markers that match Jeffs. The 55-year-old is charged with sexual assault on the 15-year-old and a 12-year-old. In addition to dismissing his attorneys, he recently filed his third motion to remove Judge Barbara Walther from the case, calling her a "woman of evil intent." Just in case Walther didn't get the point, reports the San Angelo Standard-Times, Jeffs wrote: "Let also Barbara Walthers (sic) be of a humbling to know I have sent a crippling disease upon her which shall take her life soon." The motion was dismissed.

A forensic expert testified that she's "99.99%" certain polygamist leader Warren Jeffs fathered a child with a 15-year-old. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

21%

42%

19%

15%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Oops: Did Warren Jeffs Preach From Prison?

If so, the polygamist leader broke the rules

(NEWSER) - Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs may still be preaching to his sect—over the phone. "We have confirmed that Jeffs made two phone calls on Christmas Day to a relative," a Texas official tells the Los Angeles Times . "At this point, we're investigating whether he may have circumvented policy and may have spoken to his congregation." Jeffs, who is serving a life sentence for the sexual assault of two underage "spiritual brides," could face a ban on telephone use, the official said. More»

Polygamist Warren Jeffs Hospitalized

Convicted rapist not eating, drinking in Texas prison

(NEWSER) - Convicted rapist and polygamist leader Warren Jeffs was sent to a Texas hospital last night after refusing to eat or drink enough in prison, the AP reports. Facing a life behind bars without parole until he is at least 100 years old, 55-year-old Jeffs "hasn't been feeling well," his lawyer says. She didn't elaborate, but the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader is said to be in critical but stable condition at the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas. More»

FLDS Erecting Giant Statue of Jeffs

Colossal metal prophet to tower over FLDS compound

(NEWSER) - With their leader locked up until after his 100th birthday, his devoted followers in the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints are turning to the next best thing: A 38-foot-tall statue of Warren Jeffs. Members of the polygamist sect are secretly assembling a colossal metal statue of Jeffs which will tower over the group's compound on the Utah/Arizona border when it is completed, according to the Daily Beast , which cites "a trusted source." More»

Jeffs Will Lead Church From Behind Bars

FLDS members probably aren't aware of case details

(AP) - Warren Jeffs will spend the rest of his life in prison, but that's not likely to affect his ability to lead his Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, say former church members and expert. Followers of Jeffs' polygamist cult are likely to still revere him as a prophet, despite evidence presented in the Texas case that he had sex with girls from the sect as young as 12. Jeffs, 55, was sentenced by a Texas jury yesterday and will not be eligible for parole until he is at least 100 years old. More»

Don't Worry: Texas Will Get Warren Jeffs

State has a much stronger track record convicting polygamists

(NEWSER) - The Utah Supreme Court stunned prosecutors when it tossed out the only successful conviction against Warren Jeffs, the leader of the polygamist FLDS church. The ruling will make it extremely difficult to retry Jeffs in Utah, where the laws already make the prosecution of child-marriage cases difficult, Time reports. But don’t worry: Texas wants a piece of Jeffs too, and it’s got a much better track record, notching 12 successful prosecutions following its 2008 raid of an FLDS ranch. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Warren Jeffs Fathered Child With 15-Year-Old: Expert

DNA makes forensic expert '99.99%' certain polygamist is the father

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

polygamy • Warren Jeffs • sexual assault • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints • polygamists

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Oops: Did Warren Jeffs Preach From Prison?

If so, the polygamist leader broke the rules

Polygamist Warren Jeffs Hospitalized

Convicted rapist not eating, drinking in Texas prison

FLDS Erecting Giant Statue of Jeffs

Colossal metal prophet to tower over FLDS compound

Jeffs Will Lead Church From Behind Bars

FLDS members probably aren't aware of case details

Don't Worry: Texas Will Get Warren Jeffs

State has a much stronger track record convicting polygamists

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?