Jurors in Jeffs trial keep deliberating, despite deadlock

ST. GEORGE — Jurors in the trial of Warren Jeffs continued deliberations this evening after telling a judge they were deadlocked on the second of two counts filed against the polygamist sect leader.

The jury sent a note to 5th District Judge James Shumate this afternoon, indicating they had a "hung jury" on the second count and did not believe further deliberation was needed. The jury sought advice from the judge on how to proceed from that point. There was no mention of a decision on the first count.

Jeffs, 51, is charged with two first-degree felony counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in conducting a 2001 spiritual marriage between an unwilling 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin, which eventually led to sex between the two. If convicted, Jeffs could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Shumate read the jury's note in open court with Jeffs present. The judge said he discussed the note with prosecutors and Jeffs' defense team and that they all wanted the jury of five men and three women to try to reach a verdict.

"Keep your minds open, think things over again, and work on count two a little bit longer," Shumate advised the jury, asking them to review jury instruction number 16 that states jurors are judges, not advocates.

If convicted, Jeffs could spend the rest of his life in prison. The jury must come to a unanimous decision, although it could split the verdict between the two counts.

After the afternoon activity, Washington County prosecutors quickly left the courthouse, declining to comment.

"We'll wait until after they're done," said Washington County prosecutor Brock Belnap.

Defense attorneys also left without commenting.

Security outside the courthouse intensified this evening, with SWAT teams standing on the roof of the police building nearby. Police officers also have been patrolling the parking lots and the streets surrounding the courthouse.

"We've had no threats of any kind," said St. George police Sgt. Craig Harding. "We're just preparing for the big event."

The jury of five men and three women resumed deliberations this morning after spending less than two hours Friday sequestered with 45 pieces of evidence presented over five days before seeking the weekend off.

Prosecutors have argued that Elissa Wall, now 21 and married to the man she had an affair with while married to Allen Steed, would never have even kissed her cousin if Jeffs had not ordered her to do so.