SAN ANGELO, Texas — Testimony offered by a Texas child protection supervisor revealed Thursday that a woman at the center of the Warren Jeffs trial was instrumental in persuading law enforcement to raid the YFZ Ranch.

When questioned by an attorney representing several of the fathers of children taken from the ranch, Angie Voss said that she consulted with former FLDS member Rebecca Musser.

Voss, who was questioned for several hours by numerous attorneys representing the parents and children taken, said she also sought the professional opinion of psychiatrist Bruce Perry, a well-known expert on cults.

Musser is the older sister of Elissa Wall, who was married at age 14 to a 19-year-old cousin in a spiritual ceremony conducted by Warren Jeffs. During Jeffs' trial, Musser testified that Jeffs held the power to stop her sister's marriage and that he refused to do so.

Jeffs was convicted of two counts of being an accomplice to rape for his part in the marriage and is serving a sentence of 10 years to life. He is currently in custody in the Mohave County Jail in Kingman, Ariz., where he facing similar charges.

During Thursday's hearing, Voss said that she learned from Musser and Perry that members of the FLDS faith follow Jeffs and believe they must follow his counsel.

"I consulted child psychologists and other persons who are much more educated and aware of their beliefs than I am," said Voss, referring to Musser and Perry. "They (FLDS faithful) get direction from Warren Jeffs and whatever he says, they will do."

Musser was married to Jeffs' father, Rulon Jeffs, when she was a teenager and he was an elderly man. During the Warren Jeffs trial, Musser testified that Jeffs told her he would "take me down" if she caused problems for the FLDS Church. Her testimony is credited with helping convict Jeffs.

---

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com