From Deseret News archives:

Texas grand jury to reconvene in FLDS case

Published: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:05 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
ELDORADO, Texas — A grand jury is expected to reconvene here today to continue investigating possible crimes by members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church.

Some familiar with the grand-jury proceedings have said it is possible that indictments could be issued by the end of the day. However, those indictments may remain sealed until warrants and summons are issued.

"There are a lot of issues to work through here. To the extent that they're relying on member witnesses, they've got to deal with an immunity issue," said Rod Parker, a Salt Lake attorney acting as a spokesman for the FLDS Church.

He suggested that prosecutors may be prepared to offer deals to some FLDS members in exchange for testimony against others.

The Schleicher County grand jury is expected to meet today for the second time regarding its investigation into FLDS members, many of whom live on the YFZ Ranch just outside of Eldorado. In June, several women and girls from the ranch — including 16-year-old Teresa Jeffs, the daughter of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs — were subpoenaed to testify.

Story continues below
While grand-jury proceedings are supposed to be secret, a public feud between Teresa Jeffs and her attorney ad litem, Natalie Malonis, made June's hearing anything but confidential. Malonis obtained a restraining order against FLDS member and spokesman Willie Jessop, accusing him of trying to coerce her client into avoiding a subpoena to testify.

Teresa Jeffs responded by making public e-mails she sent to Malonis, telling her to "Shut your mouth and quit calling me a victim of sexual abuse" and demanding a new attorney.

Malonis was subpoenaed to testify at the last hearing, but she asserted her attorney-client privilege. Teresa Jeffs also was subpoenaed but did not answer reporters' questions outside the courthouse after her testimony was over.

"It's been a roller coaster," Malonis said Friday, adding that she did not anticipate returning to testify.

A child-advocate report filed in a San Angelo court last week suggested that Teresa Jeffs was "spiritually" married to a 34-year-old man the day after her 15th birthday in a ceremony presided over by her father.

The grand jury is just the start of what potentially could be a busy week for the embattled polygamous sect. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing Thursday in Washington, D.C., to examine the need for federal intervention to investigate and prosecute crimes associated with polygamy.


E-mail: preavy@desnews.com, bwinslow@desnews.com

Recent comments

The problem with being raised in an environment where sexual abuse is...

Fascinated | July 22, 2008 at 7:24 a.m.

The question I have is why was Natalie Malonis called to testify in...

Gal50 | July 22, 2008 at 7:09 a.m.

If there is case for protecting Teresa Jeffs, it is up to the CPS to...

Thomas | July 22, 2008 at 5:27 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

That game was amazing! I think this will really help the sport grow in Utah....

Real Champions

Congrats on a great win. Utah as a whole should be proud not just of a major...

Congrats Real Salt Lake! but, they aren't the first major sports team to...

RSL regroups, dominates 2nd half

I told ALL of you how much i liked NED Pure irony his contributions vs x...

RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks

this is to NevadaUTE @ 10:25!!! I love soccer, I love Real and it brought a...

Real Champions

wow!!! amazing. UTAH JAZZ DO SOMETHING!!!

Glenn Beck to enter politics?

So much fear and anger from Beck lovers. You all lost the last election, we...

RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks

This is the most emotion I have had watching a sporting event since my...

Nicky Rimando is my hero! I love that guy. He has had his detractors, but...

Real Champions

Two stars means nothing! We played as a team and it showed! I'm still in...

Advertisements