He also praised Wall, his star witness. She testified that at age 14, she was forced into a marriage with her 19-year-old cousin, Allen Steed, who later forced her to have sex against her will. When she went to Jeffs and asked to be released from the marriage, she said he told her to return and give herself "mind, body and soul" to her husband.

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Belnap called Wall, who is now 21, "a pioneer."

"She stood and took the stand and withstood attacks on her credibility and reputation with honor and dignity," he said Tuesday.

Jeffs' defense attorneys said that Jeffs was being persecuted for his religion, that there never was a rape and that Wall had filed a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit against Jeffs and the FLDS Church. Testifying for the defense, her former husband, Steed, offered a stark contrast to her version of the marriage. He said Wall initiated sex by rolling up next to him in bed, asking if he loved her.

Jeffs' defense team left the courthouse Tuesday afternoon without commenting. Attorney Wally Bugden did confirm that they plan to file an appeal on Jeffs' behalf but would not say on what grounds.

Before Jeffs is sentenced in November, he also will have what's called a pre-sentence report. It will provide the judge with background information on Jeffs, which can help in determining an appropriate sentence.

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Since his father's death in 2002, Jeffs has led the FLDS Church as a "prophet." Ex-members say he is extremely strict, demanding obedience from his followers and breaking up families. His supporters testified of a loving, religious man who counseled his flock.

Richard Holm sat in the courtroom as the jury's verdict was read. He was ousted from the FLDS Church by Jeffs in 2003, and his two wives were given to his brother. Holm told the Deseret Morning News the verdict was fitting.

"If Warren Jeffs spent one day in jail for all the people he's hurt, he'd spend several dozen years," Holm said. "He's got a trail of blood and bones."

Ex-FLDS member Kathy Jo Nicholson's voice trembled as she reacted to the verdict.

"I'm just so happy," she said. "Someone that was so powerful in my life is being brought to justice."

Nicholson was a student of Jeffs when he was principal of the FLDS-run Alta Academy in Salt Lake County. She left the FLDS faith in 1989, when she turned 18.

Outside the courthouse, Elaine Tyler shrieked with joy after hearing the verdict.