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Jury Finds Polygamist Sect Leader Guilty

Jeffs convicted on 2 felony counts of rape as accomplice

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2007 5:20 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was convicted today on two counts of rape as an accomplice for forcing a 14-year-old girl to marry her 19-year-old cousin. The jury reached a verdict just hours after one member was replaced for undisclosed reasons, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Jeffs faces 5 years to life in prison; no sentencing date has been set.

Jeffs and his followers listened impassively to the verdict. The five-man, three-woman jury deliberated for 16 hours over 3 days before finding Jeffs guilty of the felony charges, which could carry a life sentence, the AP reports. Jeffs contended that his religious beliefs were on trial, but he "can't say he didn't get a fair trial," said a prosecution investigator.

Prosecutor Brock Belnap hugs the alleged victim after closing arguments in Warren Jeffs' trial Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, in St. George, Utah. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is charged with two counts of rape as an accomplice for allegedly coercing the marriage...
Prosecutor Brock Belnap hugs the alleged victim after closing arguments in Warren Jeffs' trial Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, in St. George, Utah. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of...   (Associated Press)
Prosecutors Brock Belnap, left, and Ryan Shaum react to the verdict being read in Warren Jeffs' trial Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in St. George, Utah. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was found guilty on both counts of rape as an accomplice for...
Prosecutors Brock Belnap, left, and Ryan Shaum react to the verdict being read in Warren Jeffs' trial Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in St. George, Utah. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ...   (Associated Press)
Warren Jeffs reacts to the verdicts against him Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in St. George, Utah. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was found guilty on both counts of rape as an accomplice for allegedly coercing the marriage and rape of a 14-year-old...
Warren Jeffs reacts to the verdicts against him Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in St. George, Utah. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was found guilty on both counts...   (Associated Press)
Warren Jeffs looks toward the jury in his trial Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in St. George, Utah. One of the jurors was replaced by an alternate, starting the deliberation process anew. Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is charged with two counts of...
Warren Jeffs looks toward the jury in his trial Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in St. George, Utah. One of the jurors was replaced by an alternate, starting the deliberation process anew. Jeffs, head of the...   (Associated Press)
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More on the jury maneuvering
Deseret News (Salt Lake)

More on the case against the reputed prophet
Associated Press

Judge instructed jury to ignore dismissed juror's opinions
Court TV

Summary of the testimony
Salt Lake Tribune

Details of the prosecutors' strategy
Court TV

 
rape • Utah • Warren Jeffs • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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