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Jail Force-Feeds Ailing Sect Leader Jeffs

'Death could be imminent' without medical intervention

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2009 1:42 PM CDT

(Newser) – Warren Jeffs began eating of his own accord again today, after being force-fed all weekend by medical staff at the Arizona jail where the polygamist leader is being held, the Salt Lake City Tribune reports. A series of self-imposed fasts have left Jeffs, 53, in such poor health that “death could be imminent without immediate medical intervention,” the jail’s medical director wrote to a judge.

Jeffs is to be evaluated daily, and force-fed whenever necessary. “This has been a continuing problem with his on-and-off eating habits,” said a jail spokesperson. “We’ve had to force feed him in the past.” Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is serving two consecutive 5-years-to-life sentences, and faces further trials concerning two underage marriages he conducted.

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints compound is seen in a 2005 photo, under construction near Eldorado, Texas.
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints compound is seen in a 2005 photo, under construction near Eldorado, Texas.   (AP Photo)
Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs, seen here in a Feb. 26, 2008, jail photo originally released by the Mohave County, Ariz., Sheriff's Office.
Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs, seen here in a Feb. 26, 2008, jail photo originally released by the Mohave County, Ariz., Sheriff's Office.   (AP Photo)
In this 2007 file photo, Warren Jeffs looks toward the jury in his trial in St. George, Utah.
In this 2007 file photo, Warren Jeffs looks toward the jury in his trial in St. George, Utah.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
alkaseltzersammich
Aug 5, 2009 12:20 PM CDT
One of the prisoners should force feed him a spicy beef stick.
rajanKazhmin
Aug 5, 2009 12:20 PM CDT
Mainstream religion is for retards, and fundamentalist sects are for sociopaths?
Kookey90
Aug 5, 2009 6:50 AM CDT
And, oh by the way, I couldn't care less if this jerk lives or dies; I've got more important worries.

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