Warren Jeffs allowed to represent self, says nothing

SAN ANGELO, Texas — A Texas prosecutor told jurors Thursday he would present an audio recording of Warren Jeffs raping a 12-year-old girl and DNA evidence showing he also impregnated a 15-year-old, providing the first hint of the state's case against the polygamist sect leader.

Opening statements came shortly after the 55-year-old Jeffs fired his high-powered defense team and asked District Judge Barbara Walther to be allowed to represent himself, while also imploring for more time to prepare his defense. She agreed he was competent enough to be his own attorney but refused to delay the proceedings.

Jeffs stared into space as special prosecutor Eric Nichols alleged he had assaulted the two girls in 2005 and 2006 at a remote sect compound in West Texas. The ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist LDS Church had entered into "spiritual or celestial marriages" with the girls, Nichols said.

Jeffs declined to give an opening statement and remained seated and mute while Nichols presented the prosecution's case. He didn't take notes or seem to pay attention as the prosecution called its first five witnesses — all law enforcement officials who described obtaining DNA evidence from Jeffs and the alleged victims.

"You've sat here now for an hour and not said a word," Walther said at one point, then added his continued ignoring of the proceedings could have "a very bad result."

Whether Jeffs is using a philosophy of "answer them nothing" is unknown. As leader of the church over the years, many reported that Jeffs would instruct his followers to "answer them nothing," referring to those outside of the FLDS community.

That's also the title of a book written about Jeffs and the FLDS community.

His surreal silence was in sharp contrast to how Jeffs began the day, addressing Walther slowly and deliberately for 25 minutes and saying that though he had spent extensive time training his lawyers, they weren't able to present "a pure defense." But he also maintained that he could only represent himself if Walther delayed the case.

Later, when the judge asked if Jeffs wanted to cross-examine a witness or if he wanted to object, Jeffs wouldn't answer. Whether Jeffs is using a philosophy of "answer them nothing" is unknown. As leader of the church over the years, many reported that Jeffs would instruct his followers to "answer them nothing," referring to those outside of the FLDS community.

That's also the title of a book written about Jeffs and the FLDS community.

Jeffs has burned through seven attorneys in six months as an apparent stall tactic, however, and the judge said allowing for further delays would be tantamount to manipulating the court.

"Mr. Jeffs, the court is not going to recess these proceedings to let you go to law school," she said.

The defendant often waited one to two full minutes to begin speaking whenever the judge asked him a question, only to pause mid-sentence for extended periods. He said, "I feel this is an injustice being performed" and that allowing the case to go forward meant not letting, "true justice to be served, which is the purpose of the court of law in a nation that professes true justice be served."

His sect believes polygamy brings exaltation in Heaven, and followers see Jeffs as God's spokesman on Earth. He is charged with sexually assaulting two underage girls, and, if convicted, could face life in prison.

Jeffs' sect has more than 10,000 members nationwide, and controls a land trust believed to be worth more than $110 million.