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| The HOPE Organization has received a Creative Ministries of Presbyterian Women Thank Offering grant to fund a 2-year "Jump Start" life-skills program for children in the Hildale/Colorado City/Centennial Park communities. Read our press release Read our program flyer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breaking News | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Here's the latest on what's happening. These news articles are listed in chronological order. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SCHL. CO. PRE TRIALS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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District Courts Calendar TOM GREEN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT - San Angelo, Texas co.tom-green.tx.us Last Updated on: Friday, December 18, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Location: JUDGE WALTHER When: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 993 The State of Texas VS Michael Emack PTH E.Nichols/A.Goodwin/R.Wilson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT - FLDS TRIAL #3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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District Courts Calendar TOM GREEN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT - San Angelo, Texas co.tom-green.tx.us Last Updated on: Friday, December 18, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location: Judge Walther
993 The State of Texas VS Michael Emack Jury Trial E.Nichols/A.Goodwin/R.Wilson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chris Selley: Another wrenching social issue punted to the courts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chris Selley Full Comment National Post - Toronto, Ontario Originally published December 21, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Modern Canadian politicians aren’t much for big, important debates — Meech Lake is often portrayed as a sort of extended psychotic episode. They’re even less for big, important moral debates. Same-sex marriage was a dispiriting affair in which left-leaning politicians dismissed the reservations of millions of reasonable Canadians as mere troglodytism, and in which a Roman Catholic prime minister flatly rejected constructive proposals — such as offering civil unions to all couples, and leaving the definition and recognition of "marriage" to churches, families and the wider community — in furtherance of his own progressive bona fides. (Fat lot of good it did him.) And heaven help anyone who proposes reestablishing a legal framework for abortion, as the Supreme Court suggested Parliament do some two decades ago.
Like it or not, the next one is fast coming down the pipe. The British Columbia Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments on the constitutionality of Section 293 of the Criminal Code, our remarkably sweeping prohibition against multiple-partner conjugal arrangements — i.e., polygamy. Vancouver lawyer George Macintosh has been appointed to argue that the law is unconstitutional, while the provincial attorney-general’s office and the federal Ministry of Justice will argue for its propriety. Applications for intervenor status are currently being accepted from everyone from Fundamentalist Mormons to Muslim and feminist groups and (hubba hubba!) militant polyamorists. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JACK COWAN: 'Twas a night in San Angelo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published December 22, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SAN ANGELO, Texas — ’Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the town Not a creature was stirring Not even Judge Brown. The lights on the river Shone brightly with frills, Hung there by inmates glad They’re not in Huntsville. The region had settled, Feeling happy and blessed. Most are glad for a break From the FLDS. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS: Lawmaker proud of sect's ire | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hilderbran: 'I'm going to protect girls' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Trish Choate Standard-Times Washington Bureau San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published December 26, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAN ANGELO, Texas — Hate mail from a polygamist sect makes West Texas lawmaker Harvey Hilderbran happy and proud. The state representative is probably in for more feedback from members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He authored new laws in 2005 to send a message to those who built and inhabit a small FLDS city in his district: Don’t mess with Texas. The trials of 10 men from the Yearning for Zion Ranch compound near Eldorado are putting to test Hilderbran’s laws. But the Kerrville Republican already knew he wasn’t a favorite of the usually reclusive sect members who seek, for purity’s sake, to keep themselves separate from the world. "They pray against me all the time," Hilderbran said with a chuckle. "I just couldn’t be more prouder of being their enemy. I’m going to protect girls." The laws sharpened the teeth of state laws against sexual assault, underage marriage, bigamy and legally unrecognized "celestial" or "spiritual" marriages popular with the FLDS. The amped-up statutes led to a sentence of 33 years in prison 13 more than under old laws for Allan Eugene Keate’s conviction of sexual assault Dec. 17 in a Schleicher County courtroom. Keate could have gotten life in prison because of a bigamy enhancement in Hilderbran’s law. The maximum under the old statutes? Twenty years in prison and a fine as much as $10,000. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Judge sets next hearing on searches of FLDS property | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By JIM SECKLER Mohave Daily News Originally published Sunday, December 27, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KINGMAN - A Mohave County Superior Court judge made several rulings in the criminal case against Warren Steed Jeffs. Jeffs, 54, is the leader of for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a polygamist church in Colorado City and Hildale, Utah. He is in county jail facing four felony charges in Arizona. He also faces charges in Texas. Judge Steven Conn denied a motion from Jeffs' attorney, Mike Piccarreta, who asked for a deposition of Sam Brower and Dr. Dan Fischer. Brower and Fischer were previously interviewed and deposed by Piccarreta but refused to answer certain questions. Brower is a private investigator and Fischer is a dentist and former member of the FLDS. The judge ruled that the questions the two men did not answer, "related to remote, peripheral, tangential issues," were not relevant to the case and they are not subject to further deposition. Piccarreta asked for Brower and Fischer to answer more questions related to conversations between them and Jeffs' accusers, Elissa Wall and Suzie Barlow. The defense attorney said Fischer and Diversity Foundation have poured millions of dollars into a campaign against his client and the FLDS church. At a recent hearing, Roger Hoole countered that Fischer is a client representative and is entitled to the attorney-client privilege. Hoole, who represents Brower, also said Diversity Foundation has been above board with disclosing financial information about the group that helps young men and women who have fled the church by providing money for housing, education and food. Brower is investigating the case of child abuse against the FLDS. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist predicts opponents will be 'damned' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Religious leader who police say has 25 wives comes out swinging in online missive about legal case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Robert Matas The Globe and Mail - Toronto, Ontario Originally published Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winston Blackmore, Canada's best known polygamist, foresees a year of doom for those that deliberately break up families or interfere with a person's freedom. The B.C. Supreme Court is expected in 2010 to be grappling with the controversial issue of polygamy in response to a constitutional reference from the B.C. government on whether Criminal Code provisions prohibiting polygamy are consistent with the guarantee of freedom of religion provided in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The case is expected to reverberate across the country, with its impact felt by various religious and immigrant groups who accept polygamy as a way of life. In a posting on his blog just before Christmas, Mr. Blackmore – a religious leader who police say has 25 wives – says he is reluctant to continue his custom of year-ahead predictions. "I have learned how to live just one day at a time," he states in a blog on his website. But after citing some aphorisms that he attributes to Jesus Christ, he changed his mind. "Maybe I will make one prediction," he says. "Here goes. This coming year will not be a good one for all you officers, presidents, bishops, counsellors, trustees, spokespersons, or any other responsible persons that deliberately break up families, interfere with the free agency of men, women and children, and cause an attack or assist in an attack, religious or otherwise upon any person or his family," he states. "This year will be the beginning of your end, and in the end you will be single, lonely, desolate and damned," Mr. Blackmore predicts. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS leader Warren Jeffs awaits criminal trial in Arizona | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dave Hawkins Special to the Standard-Times San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published December 28, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KINGMAN, Ariz. — The leader of a northern Arizona-based polygamous sect who has been convicted in Utah and is charged in Texas is expected to stand trial in Kingman some time next year. Sexual conduct occurring through arrangements of unions involving underage girls and male adults is the common theme premise in each of the tri-state prosecutions of Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). Hearings in the Arizona case against Jeffs, 53, have occurred months apart in the near two-year period he’s been awaiting trial in the Mohave County jail. That doesn’t mean attorneys aren’t working the case. "I wouldn’t look at it that way," said Mohave County attorney Matt Smyth. "I think that the defense in this case is being paid an extraordinary amount of money to turn over every rock and to look at every possible angle in the case, and we’ve actually done more witness interviews in this matter than in any other case I’ve ever been involved in." Jeffs does not qualify for indigent representation, and Smith said church donations are financing his defense team that includes Richard Wright of Las Vegas and Mike Piccarreta of Tucson. Piccarreta agrees that pretrial preparation has been exhaustive. Piccarreta, however, is building a defense that big money flowing from a former FLDS member who is trying to take down the church is possibly fueling the prosecution of Jeffs and civil litigation against the FLDS. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winston Blackmore makes a new year's prediction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Crawford Kilian The Tyee - Vancouver, B.C. Originally published December 28, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Winston Blackmore of Bountiful, B.C. has made "one prediction" for the coming year for "responsible persons that deliberately break up families": "This year will be the beginning of your end."
Blackmore won a court victory in September when B.C. Supreme Court Judge Sunni Stromberg-Stein threw out a charge of criminal polygamy against him and Jim Oler. Since then Blackmore has maintained his blog Sharing the Light, answering questions about religious and other issues. On December 23, he responded to a question about making predictions for the coming year: Maybe I will make one prediction. Here goes. This coming year will not be a good one for all you officers, presidents, bishops, counsellors, trustees, spokespersons, or any other responsible persons that deliberately break up families, interfere with the free agency of men, women and children, and cause an attack or assist in an attack, religious or otherwise upon any person or his family.Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian court to consider polygamy case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News United Press International Originally published Dec. 28, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A polygamist in Canada, where courts plan to hear a challenge to laws against plural marriage, says those who interfere with personal freedom will be "damned." Winston Blackmore, leader of a British Columbia religious sect, posted the prediction on his Internet blog. "This coming year will not be a good one for all … persons that deliberately break up families, interfere with the free agency of men, women and children, and cause an attack … religious or otherwise, upon any person or his family," Blackmore wrote. "This year will be the beginning of your end, and in the end you will be single, lonely, desolate and damned," he said. Police say Blackmore has 25 wives. The British Columbia Supreme Court is expected to consider in 2010 whether laws prohibiting polygamy are in conflict with Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The Globe and Mail reported Monday. The case will likely affect religious and immigrant groups across Canada that accept polygamy as a way of life, the newspaper said. Blackmore was charged with polygamy this year but the charge was thrown out in a court ruling that found the government had unfairly gone "prosecutor shopping" after two independent prosecutors had advised against prosecuting him. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A year of doom, indeed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Letters to the Editor The Globe and Mail - Toronto, Ontario Originally published Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Given what we know about the practice of assigning wives in breakaway fundamentalist Mormon compounds, it's absurd for Winston Blackmore, Canada's best-known polygamist, to cast himself as a defender of "the free agency of men, women and children" against the state (Polygamist Predicts Opponents Will Be 'Damned' - Dec. 28). This is a stunning display of delusion. And his prediction that the agents of the state who interfere with polygamy will be "single, lonely, desolate and damned" is remarkably similar to the fate to which polygamous sects consign the "lost boys," those young men who're viewed as sexual rivals for the community's young women and cast out to fend for themselves.
Anthony Cantor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 10 Arizona Stories of 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs convicted, jailed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dennis Wagner The Arizona Republic Originally published Dec. 29, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The saga of a polygamy sect in northern Arizona spans nearly a century, but 2007 was a seminal year: That's when the sect's spiritual leader was convicted and put behind bars. Warren Jeffs, prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was found guilty in Utah on Sept. 25 of two counts of rape as an accomplice and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Jeffs, charged in Arizona and Utah for conducting child marriages, had been on the FBI's list of most-wanted fugitives when he was captured during a traffic stop near Las Vegas a year earlier. Based in the twin communities of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, the FLDS church teaches that plural marriage is instrumental to salvation. It is not affiliated with the mainstream Mormon religion, which renounced polygamy more than a century ago. The church has been under siege for years by state authorities, who say the sect sanctions matrimony for underage girls, perpetuates fraud and violates the rights of disaffected members. In the past decade, key leaders were prosecuted. Schools were taken over by the state. FLDS law officers were stripped of their badges. A church trust that controls property owned by the estimated 10,000 followers was seized. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utah Supreme Court order buys more time for FLDS to plead case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Emiley Morgan Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah Supreme Court justice has issued an order granting a request by the Fundamentalist LDS Church for a motion of emergency relief in regard to the sale of dairy cows and a "sacred" parcel of land. Attorneys for members of the polygamist sect filed the request Tuesday, asking that their petition be granted by a justice or that the amount of time for responses to be filed on their petition be shortened. In an order written Wednesday, Justice Ronald Nehring ordered that all responses be filed by Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. Nehring also granted the motion that will allow for repurchase of cows previously sold, until the petition is heard in court The FLDS petition stated that the emergency relief is being sought in regard to a court order that authorized the sale of assets claimed by the FLDS, including a parcel of land known as Berry Knoll Farm and a group of cows. "The loss of both the Berry Knoll Farm and the specially bred and raised dairy cows … constitutes irreparable harm as a matter of law," the petition said. According to court documents, the farm is regarded as "a sacred temple site and a farm long used under the direction of FLDS bishops to meet the 'just wants and needs' of the FLDS people." The group of dairy cows in question is used "to provide wholesome milk for the FLDS people." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona wants to dissolve polygamist trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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U.S. News United Press International Originally published Dec. 30, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The Arizona Attorney General's Office says liquidating a property trust set up by a polygamous community may be the best way to save it. The United Effort Plan Trust owns most of the property in the twin communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., as well as Bountiful, British Columbia, in Canada. The trust was created in 1942 by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a breakaway Mormon group. In a motion filed with Judge Denise Lindberg in Utah, Arizona officials asked her to start a six-month investigation by the attorney general's offices of both states. In court papers, officials suggested liquidation might be the best way to safeguard the UEP's remaining assets. Utah moved for a takeover four years ago, saying that would protect residents of Hildale, Colorado City and Bountiful from losing their homes because of lawsuits against the FLDS. But there is now new litigation involving the court-appointed trustee and his actions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warren Jeffs May Still Be "Running The Show" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reported by: Brian Mullahy KUTV 2News Originally broadcast Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Documents may show Warren Jeffs still in control of FLDS affairs, while he was a fugitive from justice, and even after being locked up for more than a year. Recently-released transcripts include a letter, purportedly from a jailed Jeffs to his FLDS first presidency, and pages of "dictation" attributed to the polygamous leader. "We got authority from the court to get a subpoena to recover the records," said Jeffrey Shields, an attorney representing a trustee, overseeing property in the polygamous communities of Hildale, Colorado City, on the Utah-Arizona line. That subpoena was served after a raid by authorities on a sprawling Texas FLDS ranch in April 2008, a raid touched off by suspicions of child abuse tied to marriages of underage girls. Also seized in the move against the ranch were records, released to Salt Lake lawyers roughly two weeks ago, which seem to cast light on Warren Jeffs' secretive dealings. One document is a letter, dated November 9, 2007, more than 14 months after Jeffs' arrest for being an accomplice to rape. In it, Jeffs purportedly writes of one FLDS member: "...he does not hold the priesthood...his family is released...he should close down his affairs in Colorado." Jeffs seemed to remove the man as a husband and father, appointing "a caretaker of this family," and commanding that the ousted man "should not have contact with his former family." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utah Supreme Court Justice Grants FLDS More Time to Plead Case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS Gets Emergency Stay in Berry Knoll Farm Sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Howard M. Friedman KCSG Originally published Dec 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Utah Supreme Court Justice Ronald Nehring has granted a request by the FLDS Church for emergency relief in the sale of a parcel of land known as Berry Knoll Farm and a herd of cows.
The FLDS Church on Monday filed a petition with the Utah Supreme Court asking it to stay all proceedings and orders by the lower court in the long-running case seeking to reform the Untied Effort Plan Trust. The Trust holds communal property in Hilldale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona that belonged to FLDS members. The move came after 3rd District Court Judge Denise Lindberg sealed all filings relating to the future of the Trust and rejected the Church's efforts to intervene in the case. The FLDS, known for its belief in polygamy, says that the secular management of the trust under court jurisdiction makes it impossible for members to organize their lives in a communal "Holy United Order" as required by their religious teachings. The United Effort Plan Trust, which holds most of the FLDS property located in Hilldale, Utah; Colorado City, Arizona.; and Bountiful, British Columbia, is currently supervised by the 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City. The trust valued at more than $100 million was seized by the court in 2005 amid claims that it was being mismanaged by FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. See photo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United Effort Plan trustee files year-end report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Geoff Liesik Deseret News Originally published Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY — The United Effort Plan Trust filed its year-end report Thursday in 3rd District Court. The $100 million-plus trust holds most of the homes and property in Hildale, Utah, Colorado City, Ariz., and Bountiful, British Columbia, communities long dominated by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was seized by Utah's courts in 2005 after state attorneys alleged church president Warren Jeffs — then a fugitive from Arizona criminal charges — had used trust assets for personal benefit and left it vulnerable to liquidation from default judgments in civil lawsuits filed in 2004. The 87-page document filed Thursday outlines the settlement attempts and challenges the trust encountered in 2009, according to Val Oveson, spokesman for the trust's court-appointed special fiduciary, Bruce Wisan. It describes the failed attempt to settle disputes, despite "days of mediation," that would have allowed trust assets to be distributed to the beneficiaries without litigation. It also blames some members of the FLDS Church with impeding settlement of the trust, in part by hiring seven law firms in 2009 alone. "These attorneys have filed dozens of motions and lawsuits in an attempt to disrupt the special fiduciary from executing his obligations," Oveson said, who noted that the trust has prevailed in all legal matters brought against it by those opposed to its efforts. Oveson said the trust is in debt — now estimated at over $3 million — with the vast majority of the additional debt being incurred to fight ongoing litigation. He said that leaves Wisan with no choice but to sell assets held by the trust to keep FLDS members from losing their homes. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS Trust Administrator Files Year End Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reported by: Brian Mullahy KUTV 2News Originally broadcast Friday, Jan 1, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It's more than 80 pages long, with a stack of documentation said to be a foot thick, and it paints a messy picture of legal struggles surrounding the FLDS polygamous enclaves of Hildale-Colorado City. On the last day of 2009, lawyers for accountant Bruce Wisan, the man appointed to administer property in the twin communities, submitted a year end report to Judge Denise Lindberg. "I have seen some complicated legal situations involving taxation and individuals, and this is one of the most difficult," said Val Oveson, a partner in Wisan's firm, and a former Utah Lieutenant Governor. "It's all consuming." Specifically, the report said the trust which holds homes, businesses and land in the polygamous cities, owes one law firm more than $1.6 million dollars, but because of FLDS actions, has little cash to foot the bill. Wisan, through Attorney Jeffrey Shields, said the trust has faced "a barrage of litigation attacks" from FLDS members, but has been thwarted from selling a prime asset to generate revenue. What's more, according to the report, "most residents of trust land are refusing to pay" special trust assessments of $100 a month. Further, the report asserted evidence exists to show police officers and city leaders discriminated against people who are not of the FLDS fold. Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is seeking to investigate the conduct of city governments, and the trust is encouraging Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to join the effort. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Group helps teens who leave polygamous communities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Associated Press Deseret News Originally published Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A group that acts as a liaison between polygamous communities and social service agencies is preparing to adopt guidelines that will determine how it helps youth who leave their families. The Utah Safety Net will vote on its proposed "youth protocol" at a Thursday meeting in Salt Lake City. The guidelines are aimed at helping children who leave polygamous communities while also recognizing their parents' right to be informed about what's happening. "We want different fundamentalist groups we work with to know this is how we will do this," said Safety Net Director Pat Merkley. Merkley said a perception that parents' rights and concerns are often ignored when a child leaves a community has been a "big source of contention." Some teens leave because of family discord, not wanting to comply with religious standards or because they expect to be pressured to marry, said Safety Net case manager Chelsea Gambles, who is based in southern Utah. In the past year, Gambles has helped about 15 teens, mostly boys, between the ages of 15 and 18 who have left polygamous communities near the Utah-Arizona state line. Guidelines are needed, Gambles said, because there is "a lot of gray area in how you help these youth" with things like housing, food, jobs and schooling. The proposed protocol would require Safety Net members to determine whether a minor who wants help has experienced any abuse or neglect and then, if safety is not an issue, contact either the parents directly or through law enforcement or youth agencies. The child may be encouraged to return home or stay with a relative or they may be referred to legal services if they ask about emancipation procedures, though that is not an option Safety Net will push. Staff also will help youth establish a plan for self-sufficiency, involving the child's parents if possible. "We want to do it the right way, respecting the rights of parents and getting to the bottom of why they left," Merkley said. Utah Safety Net was created in 2003 by the Utah and Arizona attorneys general offices. The staff of the Utah attorney general's office and the Division of Child and Family Services have vetted the youth protocol. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Ties: 'Big Love' Season Three DVD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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DVD Reviews Written by Express contributor Roxana Hadadi Express Night Out - The Washington Post Company Originally published January 5, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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IF THE DVD SET for the third season of HBO's "Big Love" could come with a copy of Jon Krakauer's 2003 book "Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith," that would be great.
Krakauer's non-fiction work, which focuses on the murder of a woman and her child by two members of a fundamentalist Mormon group and the complicated, often-tense relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and polygamous splinter sects, should practically serve as compulsory reading material for the show about Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), the patriarch of a three-wife family who is struggling to make his lifestyle choices work in a modern, business-driven world. The show's third season, out now on DVD, closely examines the fracturing power dynamic between Bill's three wives, Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) and Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin), as well as Bill's political moves to ensure success both with his hardware company, Henrickson's Home Plus, and gambling company, Weber Gaming — Krakauer's detailed insights about what makes fundamentalist Mormons tick would be much appreciated. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Like it or not, 'Big Love' is back for Season 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Scott D. Pierce Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Big Love" begins its fourth season this weekend (Sunday, 10 p.m., HBO), and it hasn't lost a step from the first three seasons. It's still a compelling family drama, sprinkled with comedy, about a polygamous family living in Utah. And it's still certain to raise the hackles of some viewers (or non-viewers) who will continue to be offended by its portrayal of the dominant culture in the Beehive State. If you were offended before, you're going to continue to be offended in Season 3. As has been the case for the previous 34 episodes, "Big Love" is clearly about a family that is not part of the LDS Church. The Hendricksons are sort of freelance polygamists. Bill (Bill Paxton) has three wives — Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) and Margie (Ginnifer Godwin) — and a bunch of kids. Some of them used to be members of the LDS Church, but no longer. As a matter of fact, it was made clear last season (and it's reiterated this season) that Bill and Barb have been excommunicated. Bill and Nicki are also former members of a polygamous church that's an offshoot of the early Mormons. And that church is in considerable turmoil because their leader, Roman Grant (Harry Dean Stanton) is missing. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pergament: 'Big Love' steps up its game | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBO's polygamy drama better than ever; NBC’s 'Chuck' returns as a lover and a fighter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Alan Pergament On the Tube The Buffalo News - Buffalo, NY Originally published January 07, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It will be unconventional "Big Love" versus dangerous Spy Love on "Chuck," as two heavily promoted series make their long-awaited season premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday.
______________________________________ BIG LOVE Three and a half stars (Out of four) 9 p. m. Sunday, HBO ______________________________________ Entering its fourth season, HBO’s Emmy nominated "Big Love" has found a new, intriguing way to deal with the polygamist Henrickson family. Starting with Sunday’s opener, the season’s first two episodes are heavy on plot developments as Salt Lake City businessman Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) opens the Mormon-friendly casino that he planned last season with Native American partners. Bill also is considering putting his hat in the political ring at the same time the FBI is sniffing around his business and private life and the State of Utah is holding hearings on the trust of the compound, Juniper Creek. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Big Love' keeps big mo as fourth season begins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBO SERIES 'The sunny face of polygamy' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BY PAIGE WISER TV Critic Chicago Sun-Times Originally published January 7, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As it begins its fourth season Sunday, "Big Love" hasn't lost any momentum as Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) and his sister-wives continue to represent, as one character says, "the sunny face of polygamy." Where were we?
The financial stakes get considerably higher this season. Bill's new "casino and family fun center" results in briefcases full of cash, and Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) gets serious about her career hawking jewelry on television. No matter what their affiliation, everyone on this show worships the almighty dollar. See photo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next trial of FLDS member will be in San Angelo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Matthew Waller San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published January 7, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAN ANGELO, Texas — The child sexual assault trial of Michael Emack, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, will be in San Angelo when it begins Jan 25. In a pretrial hearing on Thursday, the prosecution, headed by attorney Eric Nichols, and the defense, led by Abilene attorney Randy Wilson, agreed to the change of venue from Schleicher County. The prosecution had pushed for the change of venue for the previous trials of FLDS members Raymond Merril Jessop and Allan Eugene Keate, but the trials were held in Eldorado. The court has sent out 250 jury summonses to Tom Green County residents, 51st District Court Judge Barbara Walther said. Questionnaires will accompany each summons, asking such things as whether the recipients know anyone involved in the trial, whether they have been in the armed forces and whether they write for a blog. The prosecution and defense also agreed to strike out the enhancement portion of the indictment, which means Emack will be tried for a second-degree felony, with a punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000. Jessop had likewise been charged with a second-degree felony and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $8,000. Keate, however, had been charged under the enhancement since the date of the offense occurred after the change in the law. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison. Emack is alleged to have committed the crime before the law changed, as was the case with Jessop. The enhancement says that if a person sexually assaults someone to whom they couldn’t have been legally married or lived with under the appearance of marriage, then the crime becomes a first-degree felony rather than a second-degree felony. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday News Update | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEXT FLDS CRIMINAL TRIAL WILL BE IN SAN ANGELO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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KLST San Angelo Originally broadcast Friday, Jan 8, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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THE CRIMINAL TRIAL FOR THE THIRD FLDS MAN IS SCHEDULED IN A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AND THIS TIME -- THE PLAN IS TO HOLD THE TRIAL IN SAN ANGELO -- WITH A JURY OF TOM GREEN COUNTY RESIDENTS.
JUDGE BARBARA WALTHER HELD A PRE-TRIAL HEARING FOR FLDS MEMBER MICHAEL EMACK YESTERDAY -- WHO PLEADED "NOT GUILTY" TO A SECOND DEGREE CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGE IN RELATION TO UNDERAGE MARRIAGE. JURY SUMMONS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ABOUT 250 TOM GREEN COUNTY RESIDENTS. ALSO YESTERDAY -- SAN ANTONIO DEFENSE ATTORNEY GERRY GOLDSTEIN WAS IN THE COURTROOM REQUESTING A NEW TRIAL FOR RAYMOND JESSOP. IN OCTOBER -- A SCHLEICHER COUNTY JURY CONVICTED AND SENTENCED JESSOP TO TEN YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ASSAULT. GOLDSTEIN ALLEGES DISCRIMINATION OF THE GRAND JURY SELECTION PROCESS IN SCHLEICHER COUNTY. EMACK'S TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN SAN ANGELO JANUARY 25TH. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Happy Returns of the New Season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By DOROTHY RABINOWITZ Television Wall Street Journal Originally published JANUARY 8, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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But for the suspense, much the same can be said about HBO's "Big Love," which returns Sunday, Jan. 10, 9-10 p.m EST, for its fourth season. It seemed improbable, when the series made its first appearance, that a drama about the lives of a family of polygamous Mormons would attract a wide and enthusiastic audience. Yet it did just that, for reasons that were quickly evident.
Not only were these Mormons determined practitioners of polygamy, which the Mormon Church banned in 1890, but this Salt Lake City family led by up-and-coming businessman Bill Henrickson delivered more domestic drama and variety per household than anything television had ever seen. Furthermore, this assemblage of three wives and nine children, settled in three houses hard by one another to facilitate the required conjugal arrangements, managed to represent recognizable realities of family life — complete with squabbles, meals, job and career concerns, schooling — with an artfulness that instantly drew viewers in. The show owed everything, then and now, to spectacular performances: Bill Paxton as the Viagra-popping Henrickson, an ambitious, devoted, four-square sort, but one also determined to defy society's taboo against polygamists; Jeanne Tripplehorn as Barb, head wife, at once devout and a skeptic, with thwarted ambitions of her own; Chloë Sevigny as the chronically haunted Nikki; and Ginnifer Goodwin as wife Margene — unyieldingly sunny, seductive, a plotter at heart. The season opens with the Henrickson family liberated at last from the threat of Roman, the criminal "prophet" — never among the most interesting of the show's characters despite the aura of menace that surrounded him. The family now faces newer crises both political and domestic. An antipolygamy activist threatens to occupy a vacant Senate seat, which alarms Henrickson.Then, Bill has begun to look a bit frazzled at night, causing wife Barb to issue a stern warning to her usually dutiful husband, reminding him to leave the house; he's supposed to be with Nikki according to the schedule: It's her night. There's promise, plainly, of rich developments ahead. See photo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Big Love' gets even more political | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill Henrikson is running for public office, his wives are exploring new facets of themselves, and old characters are turning up -- all in nine episodes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Allyssa Lee Entertainment The Los Angeles Times Originally published January 8, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The weather reports might have shown that it was a sunny mid-November afternoon in Southern California, but inside a Santa Clarita-based "Big Love" soundstage, a storm is brewing. Tucked within a nondescript building sit the three Henrickson houses, and head wife Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) is quietly working at the island in her kitchen. That is, until sister-wife Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) slips in through the back door and nonchalantly drops that she had gone out and done something . . . huge. Only, because this is filming seven episodes into the fourth season, we can't say what that is.
Suffice it to say that the news does not sit well with the first wife. If that wasn't bad enough, wife No. 2, Nicki (Chloë Sevigny), stops by, and Barb quickly discovers she's been the odd woman out all along. "Nicki, you knew?" she accuses. The jaw-dropping news and the betrayal are too much for even the temperate head wife to handle: Barb bursts into an all-out rage -- "My cope container is full, do you hear me? It is full!" -- and storms out, leaving the other spouses to uneasily absorb her wake. Welcome to the ever-volatile, ever-revolving swirl of secrets and wives. Over its three seasons, HBO's drama about a man and his three wives has evolved from a curious polygamy premise into a nuanced family drama. The dense interlacing of tense marital strife, social commentary and even a fair share of laughs proved a potent mix its third season out, and the series picked up its first-ever best drama Emmy nomination. More recently, it was named one of AFI's top television programs of 2009 and earned Golden Globe nods for Bill Paxton (who plays Henrickson patriarch Bill) and Sevigny as well as for best drama. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Vent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Spectrum Originally published January 9, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What's the matter with St. George Magazine putting an ad their magazine for The Polygamy Experience tour? They are breaking the law. It's against the law to have more than one wife, and it's against the law to put people underage into sexual kind of slavery. What is the matter with you? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professor discusses violence in sects | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Joseph Serna Education Daily Pilot - Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, California Originally published Tuesday, January 12, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The public on Thursday night can hear about the increasing violence against women in polygamous, religious sects when UC Irvine begins its David and Sylvia Easton Lecture program.
From 7 to 8:30 p.m., Rose McDermott, a Brown University professor, will discuss her research on the ties between polygamy and various kinds of violence against women. McDermott’s talk will take place in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway and is hosted by the school’s Interdisciplinary Center for the Scientific Study of Ethics and Morality. The talk is free and open to the public. Parking is available for $8 in the social sciences parking structure. For more information call the center at (949) 824-3344. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| And on your left, polygamy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A tour of the nearby fundamentalist stronghold was perhaps inevitable. So we took it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stacy J. Willis Las Vegas Weekly Originally published Tue, Jan 12, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Behind that gate is the birthing center and bishop’s storehouse. Over there is the infant cemetery. ... Here, behind this wall, is polygamist leader Warren Jeffs’ home ...
We slow down to allow for a group of playing children to run away from us. They’re beautiful, rosy-cheeked, towheaded kids, the girls all in prairie dresses and the boys in long-sleeved plaid shirts and jeans. The oldest among them, a teenaged girl, ushers them across the street and up the driveway to a walled-in home. It’s vaguely safari-ish: I stare from the truck window and say, "Oh they’re so precious!" to my driver, who charged me $70 for this tour, "The Polygamy Experience." "We were taught not to talk to strangers," Heber Holm explains. Holm is child No. 24 of 64 siblings. His mother was his dad’s fourth wife of 11, and she still lives out here in Colorado City/Hildale, the polygamist-settled towns straddling the Arizona-Utah border. Heber left the town, religion and lifestyle at 16, and now, at 52, sells tours of his former home. "I’ve had thousands of people ask me about [the polygamist towns] since I moved to St. George," he says. "I always shied away from talking about it. But then it seemed the time was right, there was a business aspect here, an opportunity." So he and another apostate brother bought a 29-seat bus last year, took out some ads in nearby newspapers (including the Review-Journal), created a website offering "stories of growing up in this unique religion, a picnic set in the beautiful Vermillion Cliffs of southern Utah ... and intimate views of markets, parks and cemeteries" and began trucking people through the land of assigned multi-wife marriages and prairie dresses. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Woman Accused In Several False Reporting Cases Pleads Guilty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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KKTV 11 News - Colorado Springs, Colorado Originally broadcast January 13, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The woman accused of making several false reports has pleaded guilty to one of the cases in Colorado Springs, in which she claimed to be a child trapped in a basement. The attorney for Rozita Swinton entered the plea on her behalf Wednesday morning to false reporting charges. In February 2008, Swinton started calling Colorado Springs police, telling them she was a 16-year-old girl trapped in a basement. The calls triggered a massive and frantic search in the northeast side of the city. Swinton allegedly also made calls to TESSA, a local group that helps domestic violence victims. Wednesday, Swinton was handed a 24-month deferred sentence. She received 45 days jail time but the judge gave her credit for time previously served in treatment. Swinton previously pleaded guilty to another false reporting case in Douglas County. Swinton claimed to be a 16-year-old girl who had just given birth and was suicidal. She pleaded guilty to that case in 2007. Swinton is most well known for being named a person of interest in the investigation of a polygamist compound in Texas. Investigators believe on March 29, 2008, Swinton made a call that sparked the raid of that polygamist compound. Investigators say Swinton made the call to a Texas crisis center, claiming to be a 16-year-old girl alleging abuse in the polygamist community. The call triggered a massive raid during which hundreds of children were removed from the compound in Eldorado. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas still eyeing Colorado woman in FLDS raid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By P. SOLOMON BANDA The Associated Press Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Texas authorities say they're still investigating a Colorado woman in connection with bogus phone calls that may have triggered a raid and removal of hundreds of children living on a polygamist group ranch, contradicting the woman's lawyer. The Texas Attorney General's office says Rozita Swinton of Colorado remains under suspicion in connection with calls to a hot line alleging abuse at the Fundamentalist LDS Church's ranch in West Texas. Authorities later said the hot line calls were fake, and they were traced to a telephone number at an apartment complex where Swinton lives. "I can't speak for other people's characterizations of situations but our inquiry is still ongoing," Jerry Strickland, a spokesman with the Texas attorney general said Wednesday. Swinton, 35, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a false-reporting charge for calling an emergency line in Colorado Springs and claiming she was a teenage girl trapped in a basement. Her attorney, David Foley, said he was told during plea negotiations that a Texas inquiry found no "criminal involvement" in the Texas cases. "It's a big difference between a criminal activity and making phone calls. I can't say whether she made any calls," Foley said outside of court. The judge gave Swinton a deferred sentence, which means that if she follows court restrictions, the conviction will be erased. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hoax caller Rozita Swinton, who may have set off polygamist raid, pleads guilty to unrelated charge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Melanie Asmar Westword - Denver, Colorado Originally published January 13, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rozita Swinton may finally get the help she needs. The 35-year-old Colorado Springs woman, who authorities believe made a hoax call that triggered a massive raid on a breakaway Mormon polygamist sect in Texas in April 2008, pleaded guilty today to one charge of false reporting on an unrelated charge stemming from another call she made in the Springs two months earlier. Swinton, whose attorney says she suffers from multiple personality disorder, was given a two-year deferred jail sentence, with the understanding that she continue treatment for her condition. The hoax call that landed the soft-spoken Swinton in court was one of many she made from 2006 to 2008, according to her arrest warrant. During that time, she called crisis hotlines, school counselors and family shelters. Though she gave different names, her story was always similar: She was a teenage girl who was being sexually abused. Sometimes the perpetrator was her father. Other times it was a youth pastor. She occasionally said she'd been made to have abortions against her will. One time, she said she'd had a baby by her uncle and needed to drop it off at a fire station. On February 26, 2008, she called the Colorado Springs police and told them she'd been locked in her basement for five days because she'd gotten in trouble. She said her name was Jennifer and that she was four-years old. The cops staged an extensive search but never found Jennifer. By that time, the police had responded to several calls from Swinton -- although they didn't know it. A former counselor with TESSA, a Colorado Springs agency that assists victims of sexual assault, helped them connect the dots. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suspect in raid on sect pleads guilty in Springs case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JOHN C. ENSSLIN THE GAZETTE - Colorado Springs, Colorado Originally published January 13, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A woman suspected of triggering a raid at a polygamist compound in Texas pleaded guilty today to false reporting for posing as a trapped teen in a phone call to Colorado Springs police. El Paso County Judge Daniel Wilson sentenced Rozita Estralita Swinton, 31, to a two-year deferred sentence immediately after her lawyer David Foley entered a guilty plea to the misdemeanor on her behalf. The sentence means that if Swinton avoids breaking any laws other than traffic infractions over the next two years and follows the terms on her plea agreement, she will not have a permanent criminal record. Those terms include owning one home phone and one cell phone and letting the District Attorney know those numbers. They also include undergoing mental health treatment with a doctor who will make quarterly reports to the judge and prosecutor. Swinton also was ordered to serve 45 days in jail with credit for time in treatment, a period that she already has served, Foley said. She also is not allowed to leave Colorado without the court’s permission. Senior Deputy District Attorney Frederick Stein called the plea "appropriate in the interest of justice in view of the medical issues that Ms. Swinton faces." He did not elaborate on what those issues are. "This has been a long and difficult case," Stein said, later adding, "I do think that it is a fair disposition." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Watch a video of Rozita Swinton's lawyer David Foley made by the Colorado Springs Gazette on January 13, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist leader sues government for violating rights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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James Keller The Canadian Press CTV British Columbia Originally published Thu Jan. 14 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winston Blackmore, the unapologetic leader of a polygamous community in southeastern British Columbia who has admitted to having multiple wives, is suing the provincial government for violating his rights when he was charged last year. Blackmore and James Oler, both leaders of separate factions in Bountiful, B.C., were arrested in January 2009 and each charged with practising polygamy, two decades after police first starting looking into the community near the United States border. The charges were thrown out last fall after the men's lawyers successfully argued in court that the decision of a previous special prosecutor not to lay charges was final. "The (attorney general) acted in a manner that was high handed, arbitrary, reckless, abusive, improper and inconsistent with the honour of the Crown and the administration of justice," says a statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Before the pair were arrested, two separate legal experts, including a special prosecutor, recommended against charges, instead recommending authorities first ask the court to determine whether such a case could withstand a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 2008, then-attorney general Wally Oppal appointed another special prosecutor, Terry Robertson, who ultimately decided to charge the men. "The (attorney general) intended to create an illusion that the decision to prosecute was that of the special prosecutor," says the statement of claim. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winston Blackmore sues B.C. government for polygamy prosecution | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By NEAL HALL Vancouver Sun Originally published January 14, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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VANCOUVER - Winston Blackmore has filed a lawsuit against the B.C. government, claiming he was unlawfully prosecuted on polygamy charges. The prosecution failed last year, resulting in the charges being quashed against Blackmore, who is the leader of a religious sect in Bountiful, B.C. The lawsuit, filed this week in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, states that the allegations of polygamy at Bountiful first came to the attention of the RCMP and the attorney general's office in 1990, but the Crown reviewed the case and decided there was no substantial likelihood of conviction. The RCMP investigated the matter again and in 2006 sent a report to Crown recommending charged of polygamy and sexual exploitation be brought against Blackmore. But the Criminal Justice Branch would not approve charges, the lawsuit points out. Vancouver lawyer Richard Peck was retained by the attorney general in 2007 to conduct a charge assessment review and concluded there should be no criminal charges. Another senior Vancouver lawyer, Len Doust, hired to review the matter concluded the case should be referred to the B.C. Court of Appeal as a constitutional question of the law.
Then attorney general Wally Oppal instead appointed a special prosecutor, who decided polygamy charges should be prosecuted. The prosecution led to Justice Sunni Stromberg-Sten ruling last Sept. 23 that the decision to prosecute was unlawful. Attorney General Mike de Jong declined to appeal the ruling and the charges against Blackmore were stayed. The unlawful prosecution lawsuit was filed by Blackmore's lawyer, Joe Arvay, a high profile constitutional lawyer. Blackmore is seeking to recover his legal fees and other expenses from the failed prosecution.
nhall@vancouversun.com See photo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winston Blackmore sues B.C. government for 'unlawful' prosecution | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Keith Fraser The Province - Vancouver, BC Originally published January 14, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bountiful leader Winston Blackmore, who had polygamy charges against him quashed last year, is suing the B.C. government for damages arising from what he calls an "unlawful" prosecution. He claims that the attorney-general’s ministry acted in a manner that was "high-handed, arbitrary, reckless, abusive, improper and inconsistent with the honor of the Crown and the administration of justice." In a lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Blackmore says he became "deeply indebted" to his lawyers after charges were laid and had to travel to Vancouver on at least one occasion to attend a hearing. "As a result of the pending charges, Blackmore suffered business and other financial losses and he and his family were put under extreme stress and anxiety," said a statement of claim. Special prosecutor Terry Robertson, appointed when Wally Oppal was attorney-general, had charged Blackmore with practicing a form of polygamy or practicing a kind of conjugal union in the rural communal settlement between May 2005 and December 2006. "The AG intended to create the illusion that the decision to prosecute was that of the special prosecutor," said the lawsuit. "In fact, the AG only accepted Mr. Robertson’s decision because it reflected the result he personally sought." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Polygamists | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A sect that split from the Mormons allows multiple wives, expels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Scott Anderson National Geographic Magazine Published: February 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The first church members arrive at the Leroy S. Johnson Meeting House in Colorado City, Arizona, at about 6 p.m. Within a half hour the line extends out the front doors, down the side of the building, and out into the parking lot. By seven, it stretches hundreds of yards and has grown to several thousand people—the men and boys dressed in suits, the women and girls in Easter egg–hued prairie dresses.
The mourners have come for a viewing of 68-year-old Foneta Jessop, who died of a heart attack a few days ago. In the cavernous hall Foneta's sons form a receiving line at the foot of her open casket, while her husband, Merril, stands directly alongside. To the other side stand Merril's numerous other wives, all wearing matching white dresses. Foneta was the first wife. Colorado City is a town with special significance for those of Foneta's faith. Together with its sister community of Hildale, Utah, it is the birthplace of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a polygamous offshoot of the Mormon Church, or LDS. Here in the 1920s and '30s, a handful of polygamous families settled astride the Utah-Arizona border after the leadership of the Mormon Church became increasingly determined to shed its polygamous past and be accepted by the American mainstream. In 1935 the church gave settlement residents an ultimatum: renounce plural marriage or be excommunicated. Practically everyone refused and was cast out of the LDS. At the memorial service for Foneta, her husband and three sons give testimonials praising her commitment to the covenant of plural marriage, but there is an undertone of family disharmony, with vague references by Merril Jessop to his troubled relationship with Foneta. No one need mention that one of Merril's wives is missing. Carolyn Jessop, his fourth wife, left the household in 2003 with her eight children and went on to write a best-selling book on her life as an FLDS member. She describes a cloistered environment and tells of a deeply unhappy Foneta, an overweight recluse who fell out of favor with her husband and slept her days away, coming out of her room only at night to eat, do laundry, and watch old Shirley Temple movies on television. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lawyer: No Colorado crime in Texas polygamy calls | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By P. Solomon Banda The Associated Press Standard-Examiner - Ogden, Utah Originally published Jan. 18, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- An attorney for a Colorado woman says Texas authorities don't believe she had any "criminal involvement" in telephone calls that may have triggered a raid on a Texas polygamist group. Rozita Swinton of Colorado Springs was once considered a "person of interest" in connection with calls to a hot line alleging abuse at the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' ranch in West Texas. Authorities later said the hot line calls were fake, and they were traced to a telephone number linked to Swinton. Swinton's attorney, David Foley, says she won't face charges. A spokesman for the Texas attorney general didn't immediately return a call. Texas authorities raided the sect's ranch in April 2008, seizing records and removing children. Eleven men were indicted on felony charges, including sexual assault and bigamy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bullhead City's Weiss named presiding judge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By JIM SECKLER Mohave Daily News Originally published Monday, January 18, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KINGMAN - A Mohave County Superior Court judge from Bullhead City was chosen as the new presiding judge. Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch appointed Superior Court Judge Richard Weiss, 54, as the new presiding judge. Weiss who commutes to Kingman's Division 6 court replaces Judge Randy Bartlett who is stepping down as presiding judge as of Jan. 31, but will remain on the bench in Lake Havasu City. Bartlett took over as presiding judge from former Judge Robert Moon in February 2005. The presiding judge handles the administration duties of the Superior Court including the court's budget, personnel and most recently handled the search for a new Moccasin Court in the Colorado City area. Presiding Superior Court judges serve five-year terms. Weiss, who grew up in upstate New York, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 1977 and a law degree from NAU in 1980. His term will expire at the end of January 2012. In 2004, former Gov. Janet Napolitano appointed Weiss to sit on the bench in the newly established Division 6 serving as presiding juvenile judge. He had been the pro-tempore judge since 1998 hearing criminal and juvenile cases. Weiss handles mainly juvenile dependency and delinquency cases. Juvenile cases are more geared to rehabilitation rather than punishments that adult defenders face. Weiss still handles about a dozen adult criminal cases left over before he was the presiding juvenile judge. Most of the cases are probation violation hearings. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University of Utah dropping from Big Love complaint | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ABC4 News Originally published January 20, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The University of Utah has dropped its legal action against the HBO series "Big Love." Last year, the U sent the show a cease and desist letter. School attorneys alleged the HBO show about polygamy used the university's logo without permission. The network argued it did not violate anyone's rights. Now the university says it won't take any further action against HBO because it hasn't seen that episode re-run. The U felt the episode might have mislead viewers to believe it's affiliated with the program. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U of U says matter over HBO's 'Big Love' is dormant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Andrew Adams KSL Newsradio Originally broadcast January 20, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah it is not going to file a lawsuit against the makers of the HBO series "Big Love." The university sent HBO a cease-and-desist letter after an episode in March 2009 showed the block U logo on letterhead from a school research lab report. As the story goes, the main character in "Big Love" found a letter in the report from a former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints legitimizing the practice of polygamy. The fictional U report is meant to help authenticate the letter. The university objected to use of the logo. Lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter last summer, saying they wanted the image removed from any rebroadcast of the episode. University spokesman Remi Barron tells KSL Newsradio the school hasn't seen the logo again, so it's decided to take no further action for now. "We are holding and the matter is dormant and we are simply monitoring the situation and have not seen a recurrence," said Barron. If the logo is used again, Barron indicated the university's legal counsel will consider its options. "Big Love" is a series about a suburban Utah polygamist juggling his three wives and three families.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Big Love' make big premier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By: Matt Jamieson Lifestyle The Journal - Webster University, St. Louis, MO Originally published January 21, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBO's "Big Love" has returned for a fourth season that is turning the series and its plot on its head. From a new title sequence to a drastic change in plot and characters, the balance has shifted in favor of the story. It's helped the series transform with a new vision while keeping true to the ideas that started this gem. The series continues to chronicle the lives of the Henrickson family, a group of polygamists led by patriarch Bill (Bill Paxton), a local businessman, who wants to keep his families safe from public scrutiny. Bill's life is also complicated with the threats from his father-in-law Roman Grant, the self-proclaimed 'prophet' and leader of the Mormon Church at the fictitious Juniper Creek compound. However after three years of blackmail from Roman, Bill is branching out by forming his own church and launching a casino. He also plans to run for the Utah state senate to help positively 'out' his polygamist family into mainstream society. Meanwhile, his second wife, Nicki (Chloë Sevigny), who is Roman's daughter, tries to bring herself back into the family's good graces. Nicki also introduces her previously unseen teenage daughter, Cara Lynn, into the Henricksons' lives, protecting the girl from her father. Bill's other wives, Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) try to support Bill and continue to state their own independence. Also complicating matters in the new season are the murder of Roman and an FBI raid on Juniper Creek. Roman's death leads to the question of who will be the successor benefitting from his vast wealth. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darien native Chloë Sevigny wins Golden Globe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Written by Susan Shultz Darien Times - Darien, Connecticut Originally published Thursday, 21 January 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Former Darienite Chloë Sevigny won a best supporting actress Golden Globe on Sunday for her role as Nicki Grant on the HBO series "Big Love." The category was for TV series, miniseries or movie. During her acceptance speech, which started out with an awkward moment in which a staffer ripped her dress, Sevigny began by thanking her "sister wives" from the show, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Ginnifer Goodwin. They play the Mormon wives of actor Bill Paxton. She also thanked the show’s creators and said she "can’t even imagine what inspired you to cast me as Mormon fundamentalist polygamist." "I remain eternally confused and forever grateful," she said. Sevigny also thanked her "beautiful mother" Janine, of Darien, and her brother Paul, "for making me who I am." Sevigny was previously nominated for a best supporting actress Golden Globe for her role in "Big Love" in 2006 and for a best supporting actress Academy Award for "Boys Don't Cry" in 1999. Sevigny was born in 1974 and grew up in Darien. Her career has included modeling and working in many independent films before her first mainstream role in "Boys Don't Cry." In her role in Big Love, on since 2006, Sevigny plays the second wife in a polygamous marriage and daughter of a charismatic cult leader.
sshultz@darientimes.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SEVIGNY SLAMS POLYGAMOUS SECTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ContactMusic Originally published January 21, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CHLOE SEVIGNY hopes her BIG LOVE Golden Globe win will help to shed light on polygamous religious sects and the damages they can cause. The actress plays a member of a fictional Mormon family in the show, a role which earned her a Best Actress award at Sunday's (17Jan10) ceremony. Speaking out after her win, Sevigny slammed sects like those depicted in the show. She told Daily Variety, "These women are kept extremely repressed. They should be helped. "They don't even know who the president of the United States is." See photo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moss files for justice of the peace race | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By JIM SECKLER Mohave Daily News Originally published Thursday, January 21, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KINGMAN - A Bullhead City lawyer joins the 2010 race for justice of the peace in that city's justice court. Two candidates have recently filed to run for seats on the bench in justice courts. Bullhead City lawyer Jon Moss filed petitions to run against Bullhead City Justice of the Peace Thomas Brady. Moccasin Justice of the Peace Mitchell Kalauli also filed a petition to run for another term. Kalauli joins Kingman Justice of the Peace Rick Lambert, Cerbat Justice of the Peace John Taylor and Lake Havasu City Justice of the Peace Jill Wachtel Davis for another term as lower court justices. Moccasin Justice Court also is in the process of moving from Fredonia to Colorado City after approval in November from the county supervisors. Superior Court Division 3 Judge Steven Conn, Division 1 Judge Charles Gurtler Jr, Division 2 Judge Randy Bartlett, Division 4 Judge Lee Jantzen and Division 6 Judge Richard Weiss are all running for re-election. Weiss was recently appointed presiding judge for Superior Court. Division 5 Judge Rick Williams, of Bullhead City, won his election in November 2008 and is serving a four-year term on the bench. Williams replaced Robert Moon who stepped down from the bench at the end of December 2008. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS member pleads no contest, sentenced to seven years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS member Michael Emack, 59, is guilty of sexual assault of a child. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Matthew Waller San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published January 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAN ANGELO, Texas — Michael Emack, 59, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, pleaded no contest to the accusation of sexual assault of a child Friday, was found guilty and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Judge Barbara Walther of the 51st District Court asked Emack if he understood what the plea allowed him to do. "I believe it helps me maintain my dignity," Emack said. He also said he understood that it allowed him to appeal. The court recognized that Emack reserves the right to appeal only in certain cases. One case regards the lawfulness of search warrants that law enforcement personnel used to raid the Yearning for Zion Ranch outside Eldorado in April 2008 on the basis of what later turned out to be a hoax call of a girl claiming she was abused inside the community. "It doesn’t matter the number of children they took or mothers that got on the bus," FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop said about the raid after the hearing. "What Texas did was wrong." Emack also keeps the right to appeal based on the motion to quash the grand jury indictments alleging that the grand jury system in Schleicher County underrepresented Hispanics. "You are giving up your right to a trial by jury," Walther said. "Do you understand that?" "Yes ma’am," Emack said. The trial had been scheduled for Monday. Emack said he also understood he was giving up his right to confront witnesses and his right to remain silent. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist gets 7 years for sexual assault of girl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Associated Press Deseret News Originally published Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAN ANGELO, Texas — A West Texas polygamist sect member was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading no contest to sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl Friday. Michael Emack, 59, of Eldorado, entered the plea in district court to sexual assault of a child, said court administrator Irene Devore. Under Texas law, someone younger than 17 cannot generally consent to sex with an adult. Emack had been set to go to trial Monday. His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment. Emack's plea marked the third sexual assault of a child conviction for a resident of the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, said Jerry Strickland, a spokesman for the Texas Attorney General's Office. Nine other suspects, including sect leader Warren Jeffs, are awaiting trial on charges including sexual assault of a child and bigamy, Strickland said. The ranch is run by the Fundamentalist LDS Church. FLDS members believe polygamy brings glory in heaven and is a sect that broke away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which officially renounced polygamy more than a century ago. Following an April 2008 raid at the ranch, Texas authorities removed more than 400 children and placed them in foster care, alleging they were being abused because of underage marriages. Two months later, state courts found the removals unjustified in all but a handful of cases and the children were returned to their parents. A prosecutor read a statement in court Friday that in August 2004, Emack "spiritually" married a 16-year-old girl, who then got pregnant with his child that October when she still was 16. Prosecutors said Emack already was legally married in the state of Utah and had two other "spiritual marriages" as well. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas Sect Member Pleads No Contest To Child Sexual Assault Charge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A member of a reclusive Texas polygamist sect pleaded no contest Friday to charges in the sexual assault of a teenage girl. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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KWTX-TV News 10 - Waco, Texas Originally broadcast January 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAN ANGELO (January 22, 2010)—A member of a reclusive West Texas polygamist sect was sentenced to seven years in prison in the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl, the Texas Attorney General’s Office said Friday. A district court administrator said Michael Emack, 59, of Eldorado entered a no contest plea Friday in San Angelo to a charge of sexual assault of a child. He was set to go to trial on Monday. A bigamy charge against him is pending. State Attorney General's Office spokesman Jerry Strickland said this is the third conviction of a resident of the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado for sexually assaulting a child. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints runs the ranch. Under Texas law, someone who’s younger than 17 cannot generally consent to sex with an adult. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS Trial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reported by: KLST News - San Angelo, Texas Originally broadcast Friday, Jan 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 59-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL EMACK IS THE FIRST OF TEN MEMBERS OF THE POLYGAMOUS GROUP WITH THE Y-F-Z RANCH IN ELDORADO -- TO AGREE TO A PLEA DEAL. DURING A HEARING TODAY IN SAN ANGELO -- EMACK PLEADED "NO CONTEST" TO A SECOND DEGREE CHILD SEXUAL ASSUALT CHARGE. THE STATE PRESENTED EVIDENCE OF BIRTH AND MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES ALONG WITH D-N-A ANALYSIS INDICATING EMACK HAD SEX WITH AN UNDERAGE GIRL WHO WAS A SPIRITUAL WIFE -- FIVE YEARS AGO -- AND THEY HAD A SON. DISTRICT JUDGE BARBARA WALTHER FOUND EMACK GUILTY AND SENTENCED HIM TO SEVEN YEARS IN A TEXAS PRISON. DEFENSE ATTORNEY RANDY WILSON SAID HE HAD MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT -- BUT IT WAS HIS CLIENT'S DECISION. <> THE PLEA AGREEMENT ALLOWS EMACK TO FILE A MOTION ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE TEXAS BIGOMY LAW -- AND CONTINUE APPEALS ON OTHER MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE RAID AT THE RANCH IN APRIL 2008. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC NICHOLS THANKED 51ST DISTRICT ATTORNEY STEVE LUPTON -- AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ASSISTANCE -- AND SAID HE COULD NOT COMMENT ON ANY FUTURE PLEA DEALS. << each case needs to be dealt with in its own terms and any annoucnement in the other cases will have to await further developments>> LAST YEAR SCHLEICHER COUNTY JURIES CONVICTED AND SENTENCED ALAN KEATE TO 33-YEAR IN PRISON -- AND RAYMOND JESSOP TO TEN YEARS. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Watch the KLST TV coverage of Mike Emack being led away in handcuffs from the San Angelo court on January 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS: 7 years handed down in plea deal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Man accused of sex assault of child may appeal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Matthew Waller San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published January 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SAN ANGELO, Texas — Michael Emack, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, pleaded no contest to the accusation of sexual assault of a child Friday, was found guilty and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Judge Barbara Walther of the 51st District Court asked Emack if he understood what the plea allowed him to do. "I believe it helps me maintain my dignity," Emack said. He also said he understood that it allowed him to appeal. The court recognized that Emack reserves the right to appeal only in certain cases. One case regards the lawfulness of search warrants that law enforcement personnel used to raid the Yearning for Zion Ranch outside Eldorado in April 2008 on the basis of what later turned out to be a hoax call of a girl claiming she was abused inside the community. "It doesn’t matter the number of children they took or mothers that got on the bus," FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop said about the raid after the hearing. "What Texas did was wrong." Emack also keeps the right to appeal based on the motion to quash the grand jury indictments alleging that the grand jury system in Schleicher County underrepresented Hispanics. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeffs trying to usurp UEP Trust, attorneys say | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Geoff Liesik Deseret News Originally published Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY — Warren Jeffs may be a convicted felon serving prison time, but attorneys for the United Effort Plan Trust say that hasn't stopped the FLDS leader from causing problems for them, and in turn, for his current and former followers. From behind bars, Jeffs has instructed a "shadow elite" comprised of Fundamentalist LDS Church leaders, such as Willie Jessop, to block any effort by a court-appointed fiduciary, Bruce Wisan, to administer the trust, according to a memorandum filed Thursday in 3rd District Court by UEP attorneys. "These instructions included the hiding and destruction of documents and directing municipal government leaders," the court filing states. Jeffs is serving two sentences of five years to life in prison on a two-count conviction of accomplice to rape stemming from a "spiritual marriage" he presided over between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. He faces additional charges in Arizona and Texas, as well as federal charges tied to his attempt to flee from authorities, which landed him on the FBI's Most Wanted list for a time. Rod Parker, a Salt Lake attorney who represents FLDS members opposed to the fiduciary's plans for the trust, calls the allegations that Jeffs is still in control of the sect from prison "outrageous." He characterized it as a tactic Wisan is using to "divert people's attention from his own failure as the fiduciary." "He's at war with the beneficiaries of the trust. He openly acknowledges it," Parker said. "He calls it a psychological war. That's what this is when they put this kind of stuff out. This has nothing to do with the administration of the trust." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado City Makes Cover of National Geographic; Magazine Portrays FLDS as Over-Sexed Amish-Types | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Ray Stern in Those Wacky Mormons Phoenix New Times Originally published Fri., Jan. 22 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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With fewer half-naked aborigines in the world to hang out with, National Geographic decided to spend some time last year with the polygamist clan north of the Grand Canyon.
The magazine received "exclusive" access to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Colorado City, Arizona and adjacent Hildale, Utah, resulting in the cover story by Scott Anderson -- with photos by Stephanie Sinclair -- for the February issue. The writer and photographer attended an FLDS funeral, talked to kids doing their farm chores and chatted with polygamist wives about sharing their husbands. Town leaders sought and received the approval of Warren Jeffs, the cult's imprisoned leader, before letting National Geographic in, Anderson states. The article mentions the cult's higher-than-usual prevalence of fumarase deficiency, a disease that often results in severe mental retardation and is caused by too much inbreeding. Perhaps the second-ugliest aspect of polygamist life (the first being institutionalized child rape), is the "reassignment" of wives from one husband to another by the FLDS' leader, and Anderson asked about that: After hearing Melinda's stout defense of [Warren] Jeffs, I ask what she would do if she were reassigned. "I'm confident that wouldn't happen," she replies uneasily. "But what if it did?" I ask "Would you obey?" For the only time during our interview, Melinda grows wary. Sitting back in her chair, she gives her head a quarter turn to stare at me out of the corner of one eye. Despite some tough questions, the exclusive access seems to have mainly gotten the magazine a heavy dose of FLDS spin. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February hearing set on searches of FLDS property | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By JIM SECKLER Mohave Daily News Originally published Sunday, January 24, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KINGMAN - Subpoenas were issued for four Texas and Arizona law enforcement officers in the criminal case against Warren Steed Jeffs. Jeffs' attorney, Mike Piccarreta, filed criminal subpoenas against a Mohave County probation officer, Mohave County sheriff's deputy, a Ranger with the Texas Department of Public Safety and a Schleicher County sheriff's deputy also from Texas. The subpoenas call for the officers to testify at a hearing Feb. 17 before Superior Court Judge Steven Conn to argue a defense motion to exclude from Jeffs' trial, evidence seized during a 2008 raid by law enforcement on a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints compound in Texas. Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith previously told Conn that he does not plan to introduce any evidence from the raid at the Texas compound at Jeffs' upcoming trial in Mohave County. Piccarreta's argument is that Arizona law enforcement investigators were "tainted" by evidence that was allegedly seized illegally during the raid. The motion claims that the phone call that triggered the Texas raid was a hoax and officers used the hoax to obtain a warrant to search each house at the compound. Arizona law enforcement officers also spent time in Texas with illegally seized items and documents Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ariz. lawmakers try again with anti-polygamy legislation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Melanie Kiser Cronkite News Service The Arizona Republic Originally published Jan. 25, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A loophole in Arizona's law against incest handcuffs officials wanting to crack down on polygamists who marry relatives under age 18, according to two state lawmakers. Sen. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson, and Rep. David Lujan, D-Phoenix, thwarted last session when they co-sponsored legislation on the issue, have introduced separate bills to make the incest law apply when victims are minors. The law currently defines incest as between adults. Paton's bill, SB 1061, which received a unanimous endorsement Monday from the Senate Judiciary Committee, would make incest with a minor a Class 2 or Class 3 felony, carrying sentences ranging from two and a half years to 10 years, depending on whether the child is 15 or older or younger than 15. Paton said the "quirk in the law" became glaringly apparent in the prosecution of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs in Mohave County. In 2008, a Superior Court judge dismissed four counts against Jeffs involving marriages allegedly arranged between two underage girls and their adult half-cousins, citing the wording of the incest law. Jeffs still faces four other counts alleging that he acted as an accomplice in sexual misconduct with a minor. Assistant Attorney General Tim Linnins, who specializes in cases out of Colorado City, told the committee that based on the way the law is written a polygamist is better off marrying a relative under 18. In a telephone interview, Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith said the change would make it easier to combat polygamy involving relatives. "If you have a 40-year-old and a 12-year-old, it's not incest, as absurd as that might seem," he said. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sisters who escaped polygamist cult help other victims | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Elaine Walker Anacortes American - Anacortes, Washington Originally published January 26, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rena and Kathleen Mackert of Anacortes grew up in a household with one father, four mothers and 31 children. Seventh-generation members of a polygamous family, they belonged to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both escaped the cult, which, they said, relies on iron-fisted oppression and physical, mental and sexual abuse of women and children. "Our father was abusive on every level," Rena said. They want to establish a shelter in Anacortes for victims of polygamy and domestic violence, who face similar issues. However, polygamy refugees present unique challenges. "They have been isolated. The outside world is labeled as evil," Kathleen said. "It’s like being placed on an alien planet. They have no social skills." By providing jobs and a safe place to live, the sisters hope to help escapees adapt and thrive. The FLDS, a sect long-split from the Mormon Church, made news in 2008 when Texas Child Protective Services took more than 400 Yearning for Zion Ranch children into custody. Footage of wholesome-looking women in demure dresses and children being torn from a seemingly pious refuge made viewers uneasy, as church members invoked religious freedom. Rena and Kathleen said the FLDS has a history of such media manipulation: In 1953 their father Clyde Mackert and his wives were featured in Life magazine after an Arizona raid. "Our family was used as poster children for polygamy. He had three beautiful, educated wives and they were all age appropriate," Kathleen said. Quaint images of the big family working and singing hymns swayed public opinion — and ended prosecution. "It’s the same tactics they use today to justify it," Kathleen said. The serene-looking women shown on TV don’t recognize their subjugation as abuse. "It took us a long time to realize it ourselves," Rena said. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B.C. polygamy trial draws odd list of interveners | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Daphne Bramham Canwest News Service Originally published January 27, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VANCOUVER — A free-speech group allied with Holocaust deniers, women's advocates and fundamentalist Mormons are among those looking to have their say at a B.C. trial that will determine the constitutionality of Canada's anti-polygamy law. They are seeking intervener status in the case, which would let them and the others call evidence and question witnesses during the B.C. Supreme Court trial. In October, B.C. Attorney General Mike de Jong asked the B.C. Supreme Court to clarify the controversial anti-polygamy law, and rule on whether it violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A date for the trial has not been set. Winston Blackmore and James Oler — two men charged with practising polygamy more than a year ago — have sought intervener status. Charges against the men were eventually quashed. Blackmore is the leader of one faction of fundamentalist Mormons living in the community of Bountiful in southeastern British Columbia. Oler is the Canadian bishop of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is led by Warren Jeffs. Jeffs has been convicted in Utah as an accomplice to rape and is in jail in Arizona awaiting trial on similar charges there. He has also been charged federally for evading prosecution and for other sex-related crimes in Texas. In addition to Oler and Blackmore, the Canadian Association for Free Expression has registered for intervener status. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brandi Twilley and Binod Shreshtha display religious themes in paint, mixed media | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Allison Meier Oklahoma Gazette - Oklahoma City, OK Originally published January 27, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Brandi Twilley and Binod Shreshtha Wednesday-Saturday, through Feb. 6 Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) Gallery 706 W. Sheridan 232-6060 or www.iaogallery.org. Systems of faith swing from the extreme of religious cults to the beauty of a simple ritual. Inspired by those opposites are Brandi Twilley and Binod Shreshtha, both exhibiting at the Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery. Twilley, who is from Oklahoma City, uses portraiture to explore oppression in Mormon fundamentalism. "It comes from the FLDS cult in Texas that was raided in April 2008," she said. "I was interested in the women’s appearances because they had these crazy hairdos and were wearing these prairie dresses that they sewed themselves. They didn’t groom themselves the same as other people." While initially drawn by their appearance, she moved into their emotional states as she learned about life in the polygamist community. "I was thinking about how I would feel or be thinking if I was in that situation," she said. "In the red dress portraits, they’re rebelling by letting their hair down from that same uniform and hairdo, breaking loose from their normal strange way that they have to be all the time." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| More intervenors apply to be heard in polygamy case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Daphne Bramham Think Tank Vancouver Sun Originally published January 27, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association, REAL Women of Canada and the Christian Legal Fellowship are the latest groups to ask for standing in the B.C. Supreme Court case that will determine whether the anti-polygamy law is constitutional. More groups are expected to apply before the deadline. And once all of the applications have been received, Chief Justice Robert Bauman will set a date for the trial. B.C. Attorney General Mike de Jong asked the court to rule on the law after polygamy charges against two fundamentalist Mormon leaders were quashed last year. The two leaders -- Winston Blackmore, who has registered his group as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Inc., and James Oler, the Canadian bishop of the U.S.-based Fundamenatalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (known as the FLDS), have already filed their applications to be heard. The government of British Columbia and Canada will argue that the law is constitutional and that the Charter of Rights and Freedom's guarantee of religious freedom does not override the Criminal Code sanction on polygamy. George McIntosh, a respected Vancouver lawyer, has been hired by the court as an amicus to argue the other side. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blackmore applies to intervene in polygamy case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist leader Winston Blackmore among 14 who applied by deadline to intervene in constitutional reference to the B.C. Supreme Court | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Globe staff The Globe and Mail - Toronto, Ontario Originally published Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist leader Winston Blackmore says he would like to introduce extensive evidence of persecution and discrimination against Mormons when the B.C. Supreme Court considers the constitutional reference on polygamy. In an application to intervene on a case that has attracted international attention, Mr. Blackmore says he would also want "full right" to challenge evidence and cross-examine witnesses that portray him and his congregation in a negative light. His participation would be conditional on finding the money to pay for his legal fees, he says, adding that he intends to ask the court to order the B.C. government to pay his legal bills. Mr. Blackmore is among 14 who applied by Thursday’s deadline to intervene in the constitutional reference to the B.C. Supreme Court. A hearing to schedule a date to review the applications is expected to be held in mid-February. The list of those who hope to intervene includes well-known advocates for the right of woman and children, anti-polygamists and activists who have been outspoken in defence of freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Mr. Blackmore and James Oler, leaders of a religious polygamist group in southeastern B.C., also applied to intervene. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groups apply to intervene in B.C. polygamy case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Tamsyn Burgmann The Canadian Press CTV News Originally published Friday Jan. 29, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VANCOUVER — Several groups, including a children's rights group, are hoping the B.C. Supreme Court will consider their opinions in an unusual legal test case aimed at clarifying whether or not polygamy is a crime. The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children and the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association, which supports multiple marriage, are among 16 groups and individuals wanting to provide their input to the B.C. Supreme Court when it weighs the legality of the federal polygamy law. B.C.'s attorney general launched the constitutional reference case after polygamy charges were dropped last October against the two leaders of a polygamous sect in the community of Bountiful, B.C. Winston Blackmore and James Oler, who lead two separate factions of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a breakaway sect of the mainstream Mormon church, no longer face criminal charges but they have also applied to intervene in the case. Blackmore, who's been accused of having 19 wives, says the law violates his charter right to religious freedom. The Canadian Association for Free Expression is also seeking status in the case, as well as the B.C. Teachers' Federation, whose concerns revolve around two provincially-funded schools in Bountiful it alleges subjects students to sexual and educational abuse. Others who submitted applications to intervene to the court by a Thursday deadline include the Christian Legal Fellowship, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights, the Catholic Organization for Life and Family, the Knights of Columbus, B.C. and Yukon Chapter, West Coast Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, and REAL Women of Canada. Nancy Mereska, who founded the group Stop Polygamy in Canada following her own experience as a young and abused Mormon wife, has applied as well. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court to hear dismissal arguments in rape case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Associated Press KGUN 9 - Tucson, Arizona Originally broadcast January 29, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) - A 5th District judge on Friday will hear dismissal arguments in a rape case involving a man whose 2001 spiritual marriage was the basis for the Utah criminal trial of polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs. Washington County prosecutors charged Allen Steed with one count of rape in September 2007 - the day after Jeffs was convicted of 2 counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in Steed's marriage to 14-year-old Elissa Wall. The marriage was arranged by leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The couple divorced in 2004. Steed's attorneys say the charges were filed after the statute of limitations expired. Prosecutors contend that changes to Utah law in 2005 allow them up to eight years to file charges. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court hears dismissal arguments in rape case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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KSL 5 TV Originally broadcast January 29, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- A state court judge has heard dismissal arguments in a rape case involving a man whose 2001 spiritual marriage was the basis for the Utah criminal trial of polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs. Washington County prosecutors charged Allen Steed with one count of rape in September 2007 -- the day after Jeffs was convicted of two counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in Steed's marriage to 14-year-old Elissa Wall. The marriage was arranged by leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The couple divorced in 2004. Steed's attorneys say the charges were filed after the statute of limitations expired. Prosecutors contend that changes to Utah law in 2005 allow them up to eight years to file charges. Fifth District Judge G. Rand Beacham said Friday he will issue a written ruling in the case. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Video Courtesy of KSL.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Judge weighs possible dismissal of rape case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BY KEVIN JENKINS The Spectrum Originally published January 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ST. GEORGE - Fifth District Court Judge G. Rand Beacham has taken "under advisement" arguments about whether he should dismiss a rape charge against a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints member whose marriage to an underage bride provided the foundation for convicting polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs. Allen Glade Steed was charged in 2007 with raping his cousin, Elissa Wall, whom he had married in April 2001 when she was 14 and he was 19. Both were members of the FLDS church, a religion based in the Utah-Arizona border communities of Hildale and Colorado City that practices arranged marriages and polygamous marriage. The Spectrum does not generally identify people who say they were sexually assaulted, but Wall has spoken publicly about her life and published a nationally distributed book about the marriage. Steed's attorney, Jim Bradshaw, filed documents in 5th District Court in August requesting an end to the prosecution of Steed, on the grounds that the four-year statute of limitations has run out on the charges. The Utah Legislature changed the statute last year to eliminate the statute of limitations on 14 categories of crimes, including rape and sex crimes against children, but the case is being tried under the statute that was in effect at the time Steed was charged. "This can be a tricky and dizzying legal exercise," Bradshaw said as he presented the dates when the marriage took place, when information about it was shared with outside parties, and when charges were filed in Washington County. "How does the state file information in September 2007 that they allege happened in May 2001?" Bradshaw asked. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court hears dismissal arguments in Warren Jeffs rape case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Deseret News Originally published January 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ST. GEORGE (AP) — A state court judge Friday heard dismissal arguments in a rape case involving a man whose 2001 spiritual marriage was the basis for the Utah criminal trial of polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs. Washington County prosecutors charged Allen Steed with one count of rape in September 2007 — the day after Jeffs was convicted of two counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in Steed's marriage to 14-year-old Elissa Wall. The marriage was arranged by leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The couple divorced in 2004. Steed's attorneys said the charges were filed after the statute of limitations expired. Prosecutors contend that changes to Utah law in 2005 allow them up to eight years to file charges. Fifth District Judge G. Rand Beacham said Friday he would take the arguments under advisement and will issue a written ruling in the case. It was not clear when it will be issued. Revered as a prophet by followers, Jeffs is in an Arizona jail pending two criminal trials. In the 2007 Utah case, Jeffs was sentenced to consecutive prison terms of five years to life. Wall has spoken publicly about the case and published a memoir, "Stolen Innocence," detailing her life leading up to the trial. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS Mental Burqa: National Geographic & Every Woman’s Right to Be Slave | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Jeanette Pryor David Horowitz's NewsReal Blog - David Horowitz Freedom Center Originally published 2010 January 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If Elissa could change anything, she wouldn’t have made that special meal for her ten brothers and sisters, and her three mothers. Trying to brighten the Polygamous house with flowers on the table had the catastrophic effect of drawing her step-father’s notice. Such domesticity told him the girl was ready to wed, ready to birth the babies that would populate her husband’s future planet. At fourteen, Elissa, threatened with damnation, had to submit to the Prophet’s command and marry her repulsive 19 year-old first cousin.
Abandoned by her parents to rape and abuse, Elissa survived four miscarriages and an attempted suicide. She fled the Mormon paradise and helped convict Fundamentalist Prophet, Warren Jeffs, as an accessory to rape. I would love to ask her what she thinks of the February 2010, National Geographic feature which claims: "Members of the faith describe the life...idyllic, one in which old-fashioned devotion and neighborly cooperation are emphasized and children are raised in a wholesome environment...Critics, on the other hand, see the FLDS as an isolated cult (of) rigid social control. To spend time in Hildale and Colorado City is to come away with a more nuanced view."Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utahns Make Effort to Get Accurate Count in Census 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FOX 13's Ben Winslow reports KSTU-TV Originally broadcast January 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY - Everyone is supposed to be counted in the 2010 Census, but what about those who may not want to be counted? It sounds unusual but it is a perplexing problem for Census takers especially for Utah's polygamous population who aren't counted. People in polygamous communities have a historical fear of government which advocates say have led to some resistance in participating in the Census. "I think our people have been hesitant in the past, because they were afraid the information would be used with other government agencies, such as IRS, law enforcement. And as the Utah state law stands, it is a felony in the state of Utah," Anne Wilde of Principle Voices said. The Pro-polygamy group, Principle Voices, is urging people in the Fundamentalist Mormon communities to fill out the Census. Another group that is often under-counted is illegal immigrants. "It's so important, today and always, to be counted, regardless of your legal status, because social programs depend a lot on the Census," Tony Yapias of Proyecto Latino de Utah said. Yapias finds it a hard sell to get people who try to fly under the radar to be counted, but he says it's vital for everyone. "We're going to make it every effort in the community, to get the word out to make sure that everyone is counted,' Yapias said. Besides being constitutionally required, Census data helps states get federal funding and representation in Congress. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prosecutor won't use Texas evidence at Jeffs' trial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By JIM SECKLER Mohave Daily News Originally published Sunday, January 31, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KINGMAN - A Mohave County prosecutor agreed not to use evidence seized at a 2008 raid of a Texas compound at Warren Jeffs' upcoming trial in Kingman. Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith filed a motion agreeing not to use the evidence seized by Texas officers at the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints compound in Eldorado, Texas, in April 2008. "The state believes that this should take care of the pending evidentiary hearing and there should be no need to proceed with the hearing at any time," Smith said. Jeffs' attorney, Mike Piccarreta, recently filed criminal subpoenas against a Mohave County probation officer, Mohave County sheriff's deputy, a Texas Ranger with that state's Department of Public Safety and a Schleicher County sheriff's deputy from Texas. The subpoenas call for the officers to testify at a hearing Feb. 17 before Superior Court Judge Steven Conn to argue a defense motion to exclude from Jeffs' trial, evidence seized during the 2008 raid at the FLDS compound in Texas. Piccarreta claims that Arizona investigators were tainted by evidence that the defense attorney claims was illegally seized during the raid. Piccarreta also argues that the phone call that triggered the Texas raid was a hoax and officers used the hoax to obtain a warrant to search the compound. Arizona law enforcement officers also spent time at the Texas compound. Jeffs, 54, is the former leader of the FLDS, a polygamist church based in Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah. He is in county jail facing felony charges in Mohave County including four counts of sexual conduct with a minor in two 2007 cases. He is charged with being an accomplice of two men who had sex with two underage girls, which allegedly took place in 2002 and 2003. Jeffs is also charged with felony sexual assault of a child under 17 and aggravated sexual assault in Schleicher County, Texas after the raid by officers at the YFZ compound in Texas. Jeffs was convicted in 2007 in Utah on two counts of rape as an accomplice and was sentenced in November 2007 to 10 years in a Utah prison. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51st Judicial District (Schl. Co. Case) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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District Courts Calendar co.tom-green.tx.us Last Updated on: February 1, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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When: Thu Feb 18 2pm – 5pm Central Time Where: COURTROOM C - JUDGE WALTHER 3028 Schl. Co. In The Interest of Jessop, Children Motion to Sign Order for C/S N.Malonis/A.Hennington | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SCHL. CO. TRIAL #4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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District Courts Calendar co.tom-green.tx.us Last Updated on: February 1, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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When: Mon Mar 8 9am – 5pm Central Time Where: COURTROOM C - JUDGE WALTHER 995 The State of Texas VS Merril Leroy Jessop Jury Trial E.Nichols/A.Goodwin/N.Calfas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist Leader's Hearing in Arizona to go Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prosecutor contends the hearing is unnecessary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Associated Press KCSG TV Originally broadcast Feb 1, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Kingman, Arizona) - A judge says he'll hold a hearing on a defense request to prevent evidence seized in the raid of a polygamous sect in Texas in polygamist leader Warren Jeffs' trial in Arizona. Prosecutor Matt Smith contends the hearing is unnecessary because he has agreed not to use the evidence from the April 2008 raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints compound in Eldorado, Texas. Jeffs' attorney Mike Piccarreta wants Smith to prove the evidence has not and will not be used directly or indirectly in the Arizona case. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Steven Conn on Monday said the Feb. 17 hearing won't be vacated unless both parties agree. Jeffs is awaiting trial in Arizona on four counts of being an accomplice to sexual conduct with a minor, charges that were filed in 2007. Jeffs was moved to Kingman from the Utah State Prison in February 2008. In September 2007, a Utah jury convicted Jeffs of two counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in the 2001 marriage of an underage follower to her husband. He was sentenced to two consecutive prison terms of five years to life. See photo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meet the Mormon man with 239 grandchildren | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Exclusive by Beth Neil The Daily Mirror - London, England Originally published February 2, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gathering Joe Jessop’s brood together for a group photo is a challenge for even the most patient of snappers. After all, there are five wives, 46 children and – at the last count – 239 grandkids to squeeze into the frame. That’s because the 88-year-old is the bed-hopping patriarch of one of the world’s most extraordinary families. Joe and his clan live in Short Creek, Utah, a 6,000-strong community of members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a polygamous offshoot of the Mormon Church. Joe says: "My family came to Short Creek for the same reason as everyone else. "To obey the law of plural marriage, to build up the Kingdom of God. Despite everything that’s been thrown our way, I’d say we’ve done a pretty good job." Each wife has her own bedroom and takes responsibility for her own children. But, dressed in their distinctive pioneer-style dresses, they share the domestic chores equally. One will take control of the kitchen, another will take on the role of schoolmistress (most FLDS children are home-taught), while someone else will be in charge of sewing. Family mealtimes begin with a prayer with up to 12 adults and adolescents sitting at the main table and the toddlers to teens taking their place around two tables in the next room. TV and junk food are banned but the community does have internet access and younger members regularly check emails and listen to religious music on their iPods. And while their distinctive outfits may seem more in keeping with a horse and cart, most men drive SUVs and mobiles are as common here as in the rest of the US. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mormon Media Observer: Challenges, National Geographic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National Geographic covers FLDS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Joel Campbell Mormon Times Originally published Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In a cover story titled "The Polygamists," National Geographic does a pretty good job covering the FLDS community in Utah. The article makes clear that the sect broke away from the "Mormons." And clearly outlines how the groups left the LDS Church. Perhaps if there is one flaw it might be the fact that the FLDS are left to interpret "historical Mormon policy" to their liking with no response from the LDS Church.
While NatGeo got it right, the British press didn't. The Daily Mirror ran an excerpt of the article and a large photo with a headline "Meet the Mormon Man with 239 grandchildren." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EXCLUSIVE: Utah Attorney General demands settlement in FLDS land war | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FOX 13's Ben Winslow reports KSTU-TV Originally broadcast February 3, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's Attorney General is demanding a settlement to the ongoing legal feud over the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' land-holdings arm. In a letter obtained by Fox 13 News, Mark Shurtleff puts a 30-day deadline on any settlement negotiations. "It appears to me there is no reason why a settlement cannot be achieved along the lines of this proposal," Shurtleff wrote to lawyers representing the FLDS Church. "Some items may need to be tweaked, and others may need to be massaged a little further, but on the whole it appears to me that if the parties are to achieve a settlement the best chance for that is to work from this proposal. If your client has trouble with the fact that the proposal comes from the Special Fiduciary, then let's call it my proposal." The United Effort Plan (UEP) Trust controls homes and property in the polygamous border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. It was taken over by the Utah state courts in 2005 over allegations that FLDS leader Warren Jeffs and others mismanaged it. A court-appointed special fiduciary was installed to manage it. The FLDS have recently challenged the management of the trust and the planned sale of land in their communities. Settlement talks last year failed, but Shurtleff's letter adds incentive to reach a resolution, assistant Utah Attorney General Tim Bodily told Fox 13 News on Wednesday. If no resolution is reached, Shurtleff's letter suggests they will throw support behind recommendations by the Arizona Attorney General and the special fiduciary, which would likely include the sale of land collectively held by the trust. Beyond the settlement, Shurtleff also made another threat: "we are prepared to seek a disincorporation of the city of Hildale with the Legislature if necessary." FLDS attorney Rod Parker told Fox 13 News they continue to negotiate in good faith and that Shurtleff's letter was inconsistent with the spirit of the ongoing talks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Read Mark Shurtleff's Letter to FLDS attorneys regarding settlement of the UEP Trust feud within 30 days dated January 26, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shurtleff issues ultimatum to FLDS over trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Geoff Liesik Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY — An attorney for the FLDS Church is blasting Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff over a letter that gives the sect 30 days to settle an ongoing dispute over a multimillion-dollar trust or face consequences. "It's politics, and I'm here to say I don't want him to get away with that," said attorney Rod Parker, who added the letter "comes right out of left field." "(Shurtleff) knows that's not an honest letter," Parker said, "and he needs to step up and take responsibility for what's going on." Shurtleff and leaders of the Fundamentalist LDS Church have been in ongoing negotiations for the past six months, seeking to settle a nearly 5-year-old dispute over the United Effort Plan Trust. The $100 million-plus trust holds most of the homes and property in Hildale, Utah; Colorado City, Ariz.; and Bountiful, British Columbia, Canada — communities long dominated by members of the FLDS Church. It was seized by Utah's courts in 2005 after state attorneys alleged that FLDS leader Warren Jeffs — then a fugitive from Arizona criminal charges — had used trust assets for personal benefit and left it vulnerable to liquidation from default judgments in civil lawsuits filed in 2004. In a Jan. 26 letter to three FLDS attorneys, Shurtleff said he expected their clients to accept a settlement proposed by Bruce Wisan, the court-appointed special fiduciary of the trust. He set a Feb. 26 deadline for such a settlement. "If your clients are not willing to accept this offer, I will assume that they have no intention, or at least do not have the ability, to resolve this matter by settlement and that future settlement negotiations would be futile," Shurtleff wrote. He added that failure to reach a settlement by Feb. 26 would indicate that he should "support the rule of law" and join Wisan and the Arizona Attorney General's Office in their efforts to carry out previous court orders regarding the trust. "It is not politics," assistant Utah attorney general Jerrold Jensen said Wednesday. "What's prompted this is their refusal to make any movement toward settlement. All they want to do is file motion after motion with the courts." Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utah AG demands settlement of land trust dispute | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Jennifer Dobner The Associated Press The Sierra Vista Herald - Sierra Vista, Arizona Originally published February 3, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s attorney general is demanding a settlement in a five-year dispute over control of a communal land trust once held by a polygamous church led by Warren Jeffs. The United Effort Plan Trust holds most of the property and homes in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., the twin border towns that serve as home for most members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Valued at more than $110 million, the trust has been under the control of the Utah courts since 2005 after allegations of mismanagement by Jeffs and other church leaders. State attorneys said church leaders had used trust assets for their own benefit and failed to defend civil lawsuits that left the trust vulnerable to liquidation. Shurtleff’s office attempted last year to negotiate a settlement with the parties, including the FLDS, a court-appointed accountant and the Arizona attorney general’s office, but a judge rejected the plan. In a letter sent last week, Shurtleff gives FLDS attorneys 30 days to settle and suggested a proposal from Bruce Wisan, who manages the trust for the court, offers the best framework for a deal. "Some items may need to tweaked, and other may need to be massaged, a little further, but on the whole it appears to me that if the parties are to achieve a settlement the best chance for that is to work from this proposal," Shurtleff wrote. "This matter has gone on long enough." Rod Parker, an attorney for the FLDS, said the letter was "out of left field." "The conclusion we draw from that is that it’s a political statement designed to help him evade responsibility in the future," Parker said. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of Canada's Largest Polygamy Group Has Estimated 25 Wives, 121 Children | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Group Says Polygamy as Moral as Other Lifestyles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By JUJU CHANG and LINDA OWENS Good Morning America Originally broadcast Feb. 5, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winston Blackmore, head of Canada's largest polygamist group, has an estimated 25 wives plus 121 children. And despite criticism of plural marriages, the group says polygamy is as moral a lifestyle as any other, which it's determined to prove to the world. Blackmore's 11th wife, Zelpha Chatwin, is the mother of his latest child, Jedediah Mike Blackmore. She defended her fundamentalist community. "Having a sister-wife, it's like having the same relationship with your husband, but it's just two women, or three women or four, instead of a man and a woman," said Chatwin, who is the mother of seven children. "I love these girls. … And I couldn't live without them. I really couldn't." Chatwin and her extended family will be featured in National Geographic magazine and on the National Geographic Channel. "Inside Polygamy" premieres Feb. 10 on the channel. There'll be more on the story in the magazine's February issue. The tight-knit polygamous community of Bountiful located near Creston, British Columbia, faces a unique set of challenges. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polygamist leader has 25 wives, 121 children | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Adam Thomas KSL 5 TV Originally broadcast February 5th, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SALT LAKE CITY -- A new exposé on a polygamist community in Canada is shedding light on a secretive world. "There's definitely jealousy in plural marriage," says one of the wives of Winston Blackmore, the leader of a polygamous community of about 500 people in Bountiful, British Columbia. "I love those girls, I really truly do," says another of Blackmore's estimated 25 wives. While the special was being put together, Blackmore welcomed his 121st child. "I hope he grows up to honor his father and mother," the new mother says. But tradition isn't necessarily being followed in this close-knit community. Some women live in traditional, monogamous marriages. Blackmore's group broke away from former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader Warren Jeffs in 2001. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested 52-year-old Blackmore last January. He was charged with bigamy and sexual exploitation. A judge later quashed those charges, ruling the province did not have the authority to appoint a special prosecutor to consider Blackmore's case after previous prosecutors recommended against charges. This month's issue of National Geographic, as well as a television special beginning Feb. 10 on the National Geographic Channel, explores the lives of several polygamist communities.
E-mail: athomas@ksl.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS Trial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reported by: KLST News - San Angelo, Texas Originally broadcast Friday, Feb 5, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IN DECEMBER -- A SCHLEICHER COUNTY JURY SENTENCED THE 57-YEAR-OLD KEATE TO 33 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSUALT IN RELATION TO UNDERAGE MARRIAGE AT THE Y-F-Z RANCH. IN ELDORADO TODAY -- JUDGE WALTHER HELD A HEARING ON A MOTION FROM KEATE'S ATTORNEY FOR A FREE -- COURT REPORTER'S RECORD FROM THE DECEMBER PROCEEDINGS -- TO USE IN DOCUMENTS APPEALING KEATE'S CONVICTION. THE TRIAL FOR THE FOURTH F-L-D-S MEMBER INDICTED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSUALT IN SCHLEICHER COUNTY IS SCHEDULED NEXT MONTH. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Big Love' Renewed For Fifth Season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By EU News Network OfficialWire Originally published February 06, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(EUNewsNet.com and OfficialWire)
LOS ANGELES, CA HBO has ordered a fifth season of its U.S. polygamy drama series "Big Love," The Hollywood Reporter said. The show, now in its fourth season, stars Bill Paxton as a Utah man with three wives played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin. This season reportedly is focusing on Paxton's character running for office, whereas next season is expected to concentrate on his family life. Series creator Mark V. Olsen told the entertainment industry trade newspaper Season 5's episodes will be "settling into the storytelling." "We want to take the temperature of the marriages," added co-creator Will Scheffer. Contact European News Network EU News Network wire@eunewsnet.com Tel: +44 (0) 758-845-6978 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FLDS Church announces new president | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ben Winslow FOX 13 News - KSTU-TV Originally broadcast February 6, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HILDALE - The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a new president, at least of its corporate entity. The move raises questions about the role of convicted polygamist leader Warren Jeffs in the church. In a filing with the Utah Department of Commerce obtained by Fox 13 on Saturday, it was announced that Wendell Loy Nielsen has been "called as president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in conformity with the constitution, canons, rites, regulations or discipline of such church..." Nielsen, 69, was previously a counselor in the FLDS Church. Jeffs, 53, resigned his role as president of the FLDS back in 2007 shortly after being convicted in Utah of rape as an accomplice for performing a marriage between a then-14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. He is also facing criminal charges in Arizona and Texas. The filing appointing Nielsen to head the 10,000-member FLDS Church raises questions about Jeffs' role as leader, although it is likely he remains the church's spiritual figurehead. FLDS Church attorney Rod Parker told Fox 13 on Saturday that any decisions about who members follow are made on an "individual basis." Many members consider Jeffs a prophet. The FLDS Church is a breakaway sect from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What Peace There May Be" by Susanna Barlow Susanna Barlow's book is available for sale from The HOPE Organization Order it now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The HOPE Organization has received a Creative Ministries of Presbyterian Women Thank Offering grant to fund a 2-year "Jump Start" life-skills program for children in the Hildale/Colorado City/Centennial Park communities. Read our press release Read our program flyer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In mid September, attorney Greg Hoole wrote an editorial regarding the efforts of Teresa Jeffs' mother to replace Natalie Malonis, the Texas court-appointed guardian ad litem who had been assigned to protect Teresa's interests. Greg submitted this opinion piece to The Salt Lake Tribune for publication. That newspaper never printed it, but you can read it here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| FLDS documentary 3 years in the making - Banking on Heaven | |
| Watch the Banking on Heaven trailer | |
| Watch the documentary Damned to Heaven | |
| Watch the documentary Banished: The Lost Boys of Polygamy | |
1. The Fall - Beyond The Reach from Brett Buchanan on Vimeo. | |
2. FLDS Secrets - Beyond The Reach from Brett Buchanan on Vimeo. | |
3. Blood Atonement - Beyond The Reach from Brett Buchanan on Vimeo. | |
4. Brent Jeffs - Beyond The Reach from Brett Buchanan on Vimeo. | |
5. Suspicions - Beyond The Reach from Brett Buchanan on Vimeo. | |
| THE SACRIFICE, a SHORT FILM Written and Directed by Diane Namm "The Sacrifice" is a short drama about what happens on the day a polygamous cult leader comes to take a reluctant 13-year-old girl as his wife. The Sacrifice from Diane Namm on Vimeo. | |
| Follow the TEXAS case on charges that Warren personally "spiritually married" little girls ranging in age from 12 to 14 and read the Court filings for and against Warren Steed Jeffs | |
| Follow the ARIZONA trial on charges of incest and charges of sexual contact with a minor and read the Court filings for and against Warren Steed Jeffs | |
| Follow the UTAH "Rape as an Accomplice" trial and read the Court filings for and against Warren Steed Jeffs | |
| Follow the numerous Texas cases of the YFZ men indicted for molesting little girls and read the Court filings regarding these men | |
| Listen to Warren Jeffs speak about the black race | |
| Listen to Warren Jeffs speak about the "Seed of Cain" and "pingy pangy" music from the black race | |
| Read the brochure for the Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse 2010 Joining Together Conference to be held May 3-5, 2010 | |
| Read Mark Shurtleff's Letter to FLDS attorneys regarding settlement of the UEP Trust feud within 30 days dated January 26, 2010 | |
| Read the Utah Supreme Court Notice regarding time alloted for each group to present their oral arguments regarding the UEP Trust, filed January 22, 2010 | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's Reply Memorandum and Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Stay dated January 21, 2010 | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's Letter to UEP Property Occupants regarding payments of 2010 UEP property taxes, dated January 18, 2010 | |
| Read the "Lost Boys'" Original Interested Individuals' Recommended Action Regarding Continuing and Proliferating Litigation regarding the UEP Trust, dated January 14, 2010 | |
| Utah Department of Commerce Certificate claiming Wendell Nielsen is the President of the FLDS, filed January 13, 2010 | |
| Read the Utah Supreme Court's Order denying the Petition for Emergency Relief on selling the cows, filed January 13, 2010 | |
| Read the Winston Blackmore vs Her Majesty the Queen Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim sueing the BC government, filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia January 12, 2010 | |
The Custer County Commission heard concerns from some of those who neighbor FLDS land at the commission's Jan. 6, 2010 meeting. Watch the video from the Custer County Chronicle Newspaper | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's Utah Supreme Court UEP Trust's Response in Opposition to Petition for Emergency Relief filed January 4, 2010 | |
| Read Warren Jeff's letter to Merril Jessop with instructions for Willie Jessop et al to file numerous complaints with the court regarding the UEP Trust included in Bruce Wisan's Response above filed with the Utah Supreme Court January 4, 2010 | |
| Read Harker Dairy, LLC's Utah Supreme Court Memorandum in Opposition to Petition for Emergency Relief filed January 4, 2010 | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's Report of the Special Fiduciary filed December 31, 2009 | |
| Read the Office of the Arizona Attorney General's Memorandum in Response and Objection to Petition for Emergency Relief filed in the Utah Supreme Court December 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Utah Supreme Court's Order regarding the Petition for Emergency Relief on selling the cows, filed December 30, 2009 | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's Opposition of the United Effort Plan Trust to Petition for Extraordinary Relief filed in the Utah Supreme Court December 23, 2009 | |
| Read Judge Lindberg's Response to Motion for Stay dated December 23, 2009 | |
| Read Judge Lindberg's Response to Petition for Extraordinary Relief dated December 23, 2009 | |
| Read Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard's Memorandum in Support of Motion for Partial Lift of Stay and for Order Authorizing and Directing Discovery and Recommendations dated December 21, 2009 | |
| Read Bruce Wisans's Supplement to Motion for: (many things) dated December 18, 2009 | |
| Video by The Eldorado Success Deputy Attorney General Eric Nichols comments on the 33 year sentence given to Allan Keate. | |
| Video by The Eldorado Success Willie Jessop comments on the 33 year sentence handed down to Allan Keate after his conviction on a charge of Sexual Assault of a Child by a Schleicher County Texas jury on Thursday, December 17, 2009. | |
| See photos from San Angelo Standard-Times Photo Gallery - taken during the December 7-17, 2009 trial of Allan Eugene Keate | |
| Read Judge Lindberg's Minute Entry and Order denying motions by Willie Jessop regarding the UEP Trust, dated December 11, 2009 | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's Memorandum in Support of Motion (1)For Order to Show Cause; (2)To Prohibit Further Unauthorized Filings; etc. regarding the UEP Trust, dated December 11, 2009 | |
| Read the flyer for The Polygamy Experience Tour | |
| Read the Supreme Court of British Columbia Decision to appoint George Macintosh as a reference amicus curiae to look into the constitutional question of polygamy in Canada dated December 4, 2009 | |
| Read Bruce Wisan's document filed in the Utah Supreme Court Opposition of the UEP Trust to Petition for Extraordinary Writ dated December 2, 2009 | |
| Read FLDS document filed in the 3rd District Court Memorandum in Support of Motion to Remove the Special Fiduciary dated December 2, 2009 | |
| Read the UEP Trust Motion to Intervene dated November 23, 2009 | |
| Read the UEP Trust Memorandum in Support of Motion to Intervene filed November 23, 2009 | |
| Read the UEP Trust Memorandum in Support of Motion to Vacate Reformed Declaration of Trust filed November 23, 2009 | |
| Read the Letter from attorney Natalie Malonis to Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith regarding Carolyn Jessop and the Arizona trial of Warren Jeffs, dated November 16, 2009 | |
| Read the State of Texas vs Allan Keate State's Request for Change of Venue dated November 12, 2009 | |
| Read the M.J. (Elissa Wall) v. Warren Jeffs and the UEP Trust v. Allen Steed Verified Cross-Claim filed November 6, 2009 | |
| See photos from San Angelo Standard-Times Photo Gallery - Trial ends with guilty verdict November 5, 2009 hearing and conviction in Raymond Jessop's trial | |
| Listen to the Utah Supreme Court hearing on Warren Jeff's appeal - oral arguments held November 3, 2009 | |
| Read the Utah Supreme Court opinion on Snow, Christensen & Martineau; Raymond Scott Berry; Willie Jessop; Dan Johnson; and Merlin Jessop, Petitioners vs The Honorable Denise P. Lindberg, Respondent filed November 3, 2009 | |
| Read the UEP Trust Minute Entry Regarding Revised Ruling and Order regarding the sale of the Berry Knoll property, filed November 2, 2009 | |
| Read the Canadian Angus Reid poll supporting action against the Bountiful polygamists dated October 30, 2009 | |
| See photos from San Angelo Standard-Times Photo Gallery - FLDS case continues October 30, 2009 hearing without the jury present in Raymond Jessop's trial | |
| See photos from San Angelo Standard-Times Photo Gallery - FLDS trial under way October 29, 2009 opening day of Raymond Jessop's trial | |
| See photos from San Angelo Standard-Times Photo Gallery - Polygamist trial begins October 26-28, 2009 jury selection phase of Raymond Jessop's trial | |
| From CBS News - A member of a polygamous religious compound in Texas is on trial on charges of child sex abuse and bigamy. Don Teague reports. Watch CBS News Videos Online | |
| Read the Supreme Court of British Columbia Request for Assignment of Trial Judge dated October 22, 2009 | |
| Read the Supreme Court of British Columbia Letter to Chief Justice Bauman dated October 22, 2009 | |
| Read the B.C. Attorney General Michael de Jong's press release "Province to Seek Supreme Court Opinion on Polygamy" dated October 22, 2009 | |
| Read the Petition for Extraordinary Writ regarding the UEP Trust filed in the Utah Supreme Court October 20, 2009 | |
| Read the Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Petition for Extraordinary Writ regarding the UEP Trust filed in the Utah Supreme Court October 20, 2009 | |
| Read the Affidavit of Willie Jessop in Support of Petition for Extraordinary Writ regarding the UEP Trust filed in the Utah Supreme Court October 20, 2009 | |
| Read the Joint/Consolidated Motion to Quash Grand Jury Indictments filed in Schleicher County, Texas October 15, 2009 | |
| Read the Texas Court's Decision on the Motions to Suppress Evidence from the raid on the YFZ filed in Schleicher County, Texas October 2, 2009 | |
| Read Sam Brower's memo comparing the FLDS to the Mafia written October, 2009 | |
| Read Special Warranty Deed (transferring the YFZ Ranch from the Texas Heritage Trust to the new Texas Stake of Zion Trust) filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 30, 2009 | |
| Read the December 31, 2008 Declaration of Trust of the Texas Stake of Zion (creating a new FLDS Church and religious Trust) filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 30, 2009 | |
| Read defendant Raymond Merril Jessop's Objections to Evidence Pursuant to Rule 103(a)(1) filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Court Transcript of the Testimony of Merril Jessop regarding Carolyn Jessop's Petition for Child Support discussing the YFZ Ranch property and the Texas Heritage Trust, given in Schleicher County, Texas September 28, 2009 | |
| Read the Notice of State's Intent To Introduce Extraneous Offenses or Acts regarding the trial of Allan Eugene Keate, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 28, 2009 | |
| Read the State's Motion in Limine regarding the trial of Allan Eugene Keate, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 28, 2009 | |
| Read the State's Witness List and Expert's Witness Designation regarding the trial of Allan Eugene Keate, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 28, 2009 | |
| Read the Notice of State's Intent To Introduce Extraneous Offenses or Acts regarding the trial of Raymond Merril Jessop, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 28, 2009 | |
| Read the State's Motion in Limine regarding the trial of Raymond Merril Jessop, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 28, 2009 | |
| Read the State's Witness List and Expert's Witness Designation regarding the trial of Raymond Merril Jessop, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 25, 2009 | |
| Read the Motion for Partial Continuance to Conduct Discovery regarding Carolyn Jessop's Petition for Child Support from Merril Jessop, filed in Schleicher County, Texas September 25, 2009 | |
| Read the BC Supreme Court's decision to drop the polygamy charges against Winston Blackmore and Jimmy Oler dated September 23, 2009 | |
| Read the Preston Barlow v Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and Arizona POST lawsuit filed September 18, 2009 | |
| Read the State of Utah vs Warren Steed Jeffs Reply Brief of Appellant filed with the Utah Supreme Court September 1, 2009 | |
| Read the Memorandum Opposing Motion to Dismiss for Statute of Limitations regarding Allen Steed filed August 31, 2009 | |
| Read the Salt Lake City Court's Order on Petitioner's Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice to allow Natalie Malonis to represent Carolyn Jessop in Utah in her Petition for Child Support from Merril Jessop, filed August 28, 2009 | |
| Read the Utah Supreme Court Docketing Statement filed by the Intervenors/Appellants on August 26, 2009 | |
| Read the Ruling and Order on the Motion to Approve the Sale of the Berry Knoll Property regarding the UEP Trust, filed August 24, 2009 | |
| Read the Texas State's response to Defendant's Joint Consolidated Argument/Brief [In Support of Motion to Suppress] regarding the raid on the YFZ ranch, filed August 12, 2009 | |
| Read the Motion to Dismiss for Statute of Limitations and Memorandum in Support regarding Allen Steed filed August 13, 2009 | |
| Read the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Press Release regarding the bad health of Warren Jeffs dated August 4, 2009 | |
| Read the Mohave County Court document regarding the bad health of Warren Jeffs Court Notice/Order/Ruling dated July 31, 2009 | |
| Read the Salt Lake County Court transcript of the UEP hearing on the sale of Berry Knoll held July 29, 2009 | |
| Watch the July 29, 2009 FOX 13 Utah video by Katy Carlyle on the UEP court hearing regarding the sale of the Berry Knoll Farm | |
| Watch the July 29, 2009 FOX 13 Utah video on the UEP court hearing regarding the sale of the Berry Knoll Farm | |
| See photos taken inside the Salt Lake County Courthouse UEP hearing on the sale of the Berry Knoll Farm and published by KSL 5 TV on July 29, 2009 | |
| See photos taken outside the Salt Lake County Courthouse UEP hearing on the sale of the Berry Knoll Farm and published by KSL 5 TV on July 29, 2009 | |
| See photos taken at the Salt Lake County Courthouse UEP hearing on the sale of the Berry Knoll Farm and published by the Deseret News on July 29, 2009 | |
| Read the Texas Agreed Final Order in Suit Affecting The Parent-Child Relationship regarding Merrianne Jessop, filed July 23, 2009 | |
| Read Judge Denise Lingberg's Court Decorum Order for the July 29, 2009 "Berry Knoll" hearing regarding the UEP Trust, filed July 22, 2009 | |
| Read Judge Denise Lingberg's Ruling Rejecting Settlement Proposals regarding the UEP Trust, filed July 22, 2009 | |
| Read Judge Denise Lingberg's Corrected Ruling and Orders on Pending Motions regarding the UEP Trust, filed July 17, 2009 | |
| Read Judge Denise Lingberg's Ruling and Orders on Pending Motions regarding the UEP Trust, filed July 16, 2009 | |
| Read the UEP Special Fiduciary's Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Order to Show Cause regarding the sale of the cows from the Harker dairy farm, filed July 15, 2009 | |
| Read the CORRECTED Defendants Joint Consolidated Argument/Brief [In Support of Motion to Suppress] regarding the raid on the YFZ ranch, filed July 13, 2009 | |
| Read the June 4, 2009 Texas State's Proposed Order and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law regarding the suppression of evidence on the raid of the YFZ ranch, made public July 13, 2009 | |
| Read the Mohave County Board of Supervisors' Press Release about Gary Watson presenting a check for $24,198 to Colorado City Town Manager David Darger on July 6, 2009 | |
| Read the Letter by the Interested Parties regarding the UEP Trust sent June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Elissa Wall Objection to Settlement Proposal regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the "Lost Boys'" Objection to the Settlement Proposals Submitted by the Utah Attorney General and the FLDS Church regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Objection of Jonathan and Hyrum Harker to the Settlement Proposal and Letter of Intent Submitted by the Utah Attorney General and the FLDS Church regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Response and Objection of the Office of the Arizona Attorney General to Settlement Proposal Submissions regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Special Fiduciary Bruce R. Wisan's Consolidated Response to Settlement Proposals regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Exhibits to the Special Fiduciary Bruce R. Wisan's Consolidated Response to Settlement Proposals regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the Comments of FLDS on Settlement Proposals regarding the UEP Trust filed June 30, 2009 | |
| Read the FLDS Memorandum in Support of Motion for Order to Show Cause regarding the UEP Trust filed June 26, 2009 | |
| Read the Declaration of Mary Harker regarding the UEP Trust filed June 26, 2009 | |
| Read the Declaration of Nathan Jessop regarding the UEP Trust filed June 26, 2009 | |
| Read the Harker's list of Questions for Mark Shurtleff regarding the UEP Trust sent June 23, 2009 | |
| Read a list of Winston Blackmore's wives and children compiled by RCMP Constable Shelley Livingstone | |
| Read the Written Submissions of Winston Kaye Blackmore filed with the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada June 19, 2009 | |
| Read the FLDS response to Utah Attorney General's UEP proposal filed June 15, 2009 | |
| Read the Utah Attorney General's proposed UEP settlement filed June 15, 2009 | |
| Read the Utah Attorney General's UEP settlement letter of intent filed June 15, 2009 | |
| Read Elissa Wall's UEP Settlement Proposal Limited to the MJ Action filed June 2, 2009 | |
Watch some of Willie Jessop's testimony at the April 14, 2009 Texas House Human Services Committee hearing on the YFZ raid courtesy of the Austin American-Statesman | |
| Watch Jenny Hoff with KXAN 36 News Austin talk about the Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing the FLDS re-labeled for the anniversary of the YFZ Ranch raid | |
| See photos from the Corpus Christi Caller Times taken March 23, 2009 by Cynthia Esparza with the San Angelo Standard-Times covering the one year anniversary of the raid on the Yearning For Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas | |
| See photos one year after the April 2008 raid of the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas taken by Ben Winslow of the Deseret News and Cynthia Esparza of the San Angelo Standard-Times and published by The Deseret Morning News on March 28, 2009 | |
| Video Courtesy of KSL.com Watch the KSL Video Last FLDS youth in custody could soon return to family broadcast on March 13, 2009 | |
| During the January 23, 2009 deposition of Merril Jessop, court exhibits were included in his deposition. One item was a budget from the Short Creek Stake reporting their tithings paid and how these monies were being spent to support the other FLDS compounds | |
| Read the Budget Estimates from the Short Creek Stake and see where their hard-earned money was going | |
| During the January 23, 2009 deposition of Merril Jessop, court exhibits were included in his deposition. One collection was Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record from January 16, 2007 - June 6, 2007. Excerpts of this included the "History of events of Warren Steed Jeffs while in prison (Purgatory Jail) in Washington County, Utah." Below are some of these Personal Priesthood Records | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record PART 1 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record PART 2 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record PART 3 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record PART 4 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record PART 5 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Priesthood Record PART 6 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| During the January 23, 2009 deposition of Merril Jessop, court exhibits were included in his deposition. One collection was Warren Jeffs' Personal Dictations Below are some of these Personal Dictations fom 2005 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Dictations PART 1 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Dictations PART 2 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Dictations PART 3 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Dictations PART 4 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| Read Warren Jeffs' Personal Dictations PART 5 court exhibit released February 9, 2009 | |
| During the January 23, 2009 deposition of Merril Jessop, court exhibits were included in his deposition. One item was Warren Jeffs' directive to his brother Lyle Jeffs to notify faithful followers they no longer held the Priesthood | |
| Read the bad news given to some FLDS members who were told that they had to repent from afar (leave UEP property) and their families were "released" from them in the Short Creek Assignment from July 12, 2005 | |
| Read the FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop's deposition court transcript recorded January 26, 2009 | |
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MR. SCHAFFER: At this time Mr. Jessop will refuse to answer that question based upon his Fifth Amendment privilege as well — under the federal constitution as well as the state constitution. As counsel propounding these questions knows there are federal investigations involving money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, Mann Act violations in federal court, in addition to any allegations being investigated by the state authorities.
MS. MALONIS: For the record, this counsel is not aware of that. MR. SCHAFFER: You are now. | |
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Watch a video of Willie Jessop taken during his deposition January 26, 2009 | |
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Watch more of the video of Willie Jessop taken during his deposition January 26, 2009 | |
| Read YFZ Ranch leader Merril Jessop's deposition court transcript recorded January 23, 2009 | |
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Watch a video of Merril Jessop taken during his deposition January 23, 2009 | |
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Watch more of the video of Merril Jessop taken during his deposition January 23, 2009 | |
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Watch even more of the video of Merril Jessop taken during his deposition January 23, 2009 | |
| Read the court Notice of Intention to take Oral Deposition from Merril Jessop filed January 16, 2009 | |
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Watch the Eldorado Success Video of Willie Jessop meeting with Schleicher County Commissioners on January 12, 2009 | |
| Read the court Subpoena to Compel Appearance for Depostion for Merril Jessop dated January 12, 2009 | |
| Read the January 6, 2009 Canadian Indictments for practicing polygamy filed against Winston Blackmore and James Oler | |
| Read the Texas indictment against Fredrick Merril Jessop for marrying off his 12-year-old daughter to Warren Jeffs filed November 12, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas indictment against Wendell Loy Nielsen for the first count of bigamy filed November 12, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas indictment against Wendell Loy Nielsen for the second count of bigamy filed November 12, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas indictment against Wendell Loy Nielsen for the third count of bigamy filed November 12, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas indictments against Lehi Barlow Jeffs (AKA Lehi Barlow Allred) for marrying a young girl under that age of 16 and for bigamy - filed September 23, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas indictments against Abram Harker Jeffs for marrying a young girl under that age of 16 and for bigamy - filed September 23, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas indictment against Keith William Dutson, Jr. for marrying a young girl under that age of 17 - filed September 23, 2008 | |
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Watch a video on FORA.tv with Steve Singular (author of When Men Become Gods) and Laura Chapman filmed September 16, 2008 during a book signing event at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, Colorado | |
| See photos from The Deseret News Photo Gallery taken during the second YFZ Ranch Grand Jury Hearing and published by the Deseret News August 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Arizona Court of Appeals decision on the Kelly Fishcer child bride conviction filed August 6, 2008 | |
| Read the Virginai Kloe Barlow and Lynda Luella Barlow - Texas Case 2925 Motion for Conservatorship and Further Orders filed August 5, 2008 This court document contains some of the evidence for the charges of failure to report child abuse filed against YFZ Doctor Lloyd Hammon Barlow. | |
| Read the Sampson Merril Jessop, Merrianne Jessop and Benjamin Merril Jessop - Texas Case 2833 Motion for Conservatorship and Further Orders filed August 5, 2008. This court document contains many of the "Marriage Records" related to the charges of child sexual assault against the men from the YFZ. | |
| Read the Amy Elnora Johnson - Texas Case 2928 Motion for Conservatorship and Further Orders filed August 5, 2008. This court document contains many of the "Marriage Records" related to the charges of child sexual assault against the men from the YFZ. | |
| Read the Statement of Dan Fischer dated August 1, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Department of Public Safety's Press Release and mug shots of the 6 YFZ men wanted for sexual assault of little girls dated July 28, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Warren Steed Jeffs for sexual assault of a little girl under the age of 17 - filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Raymond Merril Jessop for sexual assault of a little girl under the age of 17 - filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Merril Leroy Jessop for sexual assault of a little girl under the age of 16 - filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Merril Leroy Jessop for bigamy - filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Allen Eugene Keate for sexual assault of a little girl under the age of 17 - filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Michael Emack for sexual assault of a little girl under the age of 17- filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the Texas Grand Jury Indictment against Lloyd Hammon Barlow for 3 counts of failure to report child abuse - filed July 22, 2008 | |
| Read the July 27, 2006 dictation by Warren Jeffs regarding performing 3 underage marriages of his daughter, Wendell Nielsen's daughter and Merril Jessop's daughter filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| Read the CASA Report on Teressa Jeffs filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| See the Marriage Record of Raymond Merril Jessop and Teresa Jeffs performed July 22, 2005 | |
| See the "Cozy" photos of Teresa Jeffs and Raymond Jessop filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| See the "Happy to be Married" photos of Teresa Jeffs and Raymond Jessop filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| Read the Excerpts from Teressa Jeffs' diary discussing marrying Raymond Jessop filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| Read the Continuing excerpts from Teressa Jeffs' diary discussing marrying Raymond Jessop filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| See the "Sweetheart" cards of Teressa Jeffs and Raymond Jessop filed in Texas court July 18, 2008 | |
| Read the Affidavit for Search Warrant for Warren Jeffs in the Texas Child Bride cases dated May 29, 2008 | |
| Watch the CBS 48 Hours Mystery YFZ Ranch video where Peter Van Sant talks with Willie Jessop about the April 2008 raid of the YFZ ranch. | |
| Read the Bishop's Record of Families at the YFZ Ranch released May 1, 2008 | |
| Watch the CBS Early Show video where the YFZ Ranch men speak out from April 26, 2008 | |
| Watch the April 16, 2008 Good Morning America interview with Nancy, Marie and Esther from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas | |
| Watch the April 15, 2008 CBS Evening News coverage by Hari Sreenivasan on the YFZ raid and the removal of the FLDS children | |
| Read the Statement for the Media sent by Wally Bugden on December 5, 2007 - announcing Warren has resigned as President of the Corporation of the President of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Inc. | |
| Read the July 9, 2007 Memorandum in Support of Motion in Limine Regarding Statements of the Defendant unsealed by the court on November 6, 2007 - This is the "I am not the Prophet" confession | |
| Watch Warren Jeffs tell Nephi that he is "not the prophet" and "never was the prophet" | |
| See the Los Angeles Time's Photo Gallery from stories published May 2006 | |
| Read the February 21, 2005 Training Given by President Warren S. Jeffs On the Places of Refuge to a Group of Men regarding the "keep sweet" training on "how to live and be Zion" and be invited to live on the lands of refuge | |
| See the Photo Gallery from Alta Academy 1988 to 1996 | |
| For more information on the April 2008 raid on the FLDS YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, visit our web page
Don't Mess with Texas | |
| For more information on the trials of the FLDS men from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, visit our web page
Texas Hold'em | |
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| "Religion" is no excuse for committing child abuse | |
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