Judge grants a restraining order against FLDS's Jessop
The restraining order accuses Fundamentalist LDS Church member and spokesman Willie Jessop of trying to coerce the girl into avoiding a subpoena to testify at next week's grand-jury proceedings.
"Based on my dealings with Willie Jessop, I believe that he exercises a great deal of control over (the girl), and I am certain that he is interested in protecting the church's interests and the interests of certain influential male members as opposed to (the girl's) legal interests," court-appointed attorney Natalie Malonis wrote in an affidavit filed in a San Angelo court and obtained by the Deseret News.
Judge Barbara Walther signed a temporary restraining order late Friday afternoon that also prevents the girl's mother from having any contact with Jessop. A more formal and detailed restraining order is likely to be filed next week and a hearing on whether to continue it will be held on Tuesday.
The girl was not immediately returned to her mother after an Austin appeals court, and the Texas Supreme Court ruled child welfare authorities acted improperly in removing all 440 children from the ranch. Instead, Malonis filed a special order seeking to have the girl returned to her mother but to have no contact with her father FLDS leader Warren Jeffs or with a man named Raymond Jessop. Raymond Jessop is not further identified.
Malonis said the girl is an identified sex abuse victim and that Texas child welfare authorities and law enforcement told her the girl had been "spiritually united" to a man shortly after turning 15.
In a letter sent to Walther Thursday, the girl denied being a sex abuse victim, said she was not pregnant and accused her attorney of acting against her wishes.
"I have tried to work with her since and have tried to cooperate with her," the girl wrote. "I have told her the truth, but she continues to make derogatory statements about my religion and my family."
Malonis says that she had a good relationship with the girl and her mother but that Willie Jessop interfered. During a meeting at the YFZ Ranch, Malonis said Jessop told her the girl needed an ad litem who would advocate for the FLDS lifestyle.
"Mr. Jessop informed me that if I was not willing to take such a stance in (the girl's) case, then I was 'against the FLDS' and he would get another lawyer for (the girl)," Malonis wrote. "(The girl) said nothing during the entire conversation, even when I directed my comments and questions to her."
Earlier this week, Malonis was told that the girl would be subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury. A couple of days later, she said, the girl sent her several hostile e-mails about being subpoenaed and refused to answer the phone. On Thursday, the Texas Attorney General's Office told her that the girl could not be found.
Recent comments
What is the punishment for bigamy in other states?? I have heard...
dagwe | June 30, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.
Jeffs is not a true prophet, nor are his relatives before him...they...
Anonymous | June 25, 2008 at 12:40 a.m.
In response to the person who pointed out that Christ died for all,...
The Truth of the Matter | June 23, 2008 at 10:13 p.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...


