Quick hearing on Jeffs evidence

LAS VEGAS — More people are jumping into the fight over a trove of documents, cash and other evidence the FBI seized when it arrested Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs.

During a quick hearing in federal court here Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones allowed lawyers for the FLDS Church's financial arm and an ex-FLDS member to push to get their hands on the evidence.

"We felt like we needed to be involved," said Jeffrey L. Shields, a lawyer for the court-appointed special fiduciary of the United Effort Plan Trust, which was taken over by a judge in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court.

Also seeking access to the evidence is Shem Fischer, an ex-FLDS member who won a $338,000 religious discrimination lawsuit against Jeffs.

Jeffs' lawyer, Richard Wright, showed up as the hearing was ending and did not oppose the lawyers' motions to intervene. "They are allowed to participate," he told the Deseret Morning News outside of court. "One's a judgment creditor, the other an interested party. It doesn't mean they acquire anything."

The judge ordered lawyers to file papers beginning what is expected to be a protracted legal battle over the evidence the FBI seized.

Jeffs, 51, was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List until he was arrested during a traffic stop outside Las Vegas in August 2006. Inside the red Cadillac Escalade FBI agents seized more than $50,000 in cash, papers, computers, wigs, a GPS device and other items. FBI agents have told the Deseret Morning News they also found ledgers with the names of people they say may have helped keep Jeffs on the run with cash and shelter.

Jeffs is charged in St. George's 5th District Court with rape as an accomplice, a first-degree felony. He is accused of pushing a 14-year-old girl into a marriage with her 19-year-old cousin. In Mohave County, Ariz., Jeffs also faces numerous charges accusing him of arranging child bride marriages there.