Reader comments
Jury in Jeffs trial to resume its deliberations on Monday

Donna Banks | 5:54 a.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Isn't it illegal to marry your first cousin? That in itself is disgusting.

James Justice | 8:56 a.m. Sept. 22, 2007

What one sided reporting, giving full reporting of the prosecution's case, but only negligible lip service to the defense's arguments. Must be an LDS newspaper. For a much more balanced account, read the other major salt lake newspaper's account.

James

I think it's great | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 22, 2007

It's time for these poor people to get a break. I'm very glad that the Deseret News is showing this. Good Job Deseret News!
Of course every person gets a defense in a court of law, but there's not much defense for this except for brainwashing and stupidity.
I'm glad it's being realized and shown.

Comments continue below

Outstanding | 10:38 a.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Outstanding reporting Deseret News, Warren Jeffs is a pervert. I am non LDS and live outside of the state of Utah

Nate | 10:41 a.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Hey James, if the Trib is your other account maybe you should read it again if you think its a balanced view. If you read it rather than being balanced its one sided toward the defense. Like all newspapers take what was said and get somewhere in the middle and you'll get better view. Did Elissa start the sex...probably not, did she try and follow Jeffs advice? Probably. Is Jeffs still guilty? I still think he is. Using the power one has against a 14 to make her marry is really sick and wrong. Will the jury find him guilty? Who knows?

fincenMIB | 5:32 p.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Its offering some set backs, but slowly I am getting Warren Jeffs voice out on You Tube. Just search fincenMIB at it will take you to the video's I have up so far. 7 or 8 I think? There will be more! Some are of the audio the DA used in court. Check it out.

Paul in Louisville KY | 8:10 p.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Mr Jeffs has no authority to mary a 14 Year old girl to her 19 year old 1st cousin or anyone else! He also has absolutely no connection to the Latter Day Saints headquartered in Salt Lake City. The man simply began his own church so he and other males of his "church" could enjoy multiple sex partners. God does not sanction what he's doing and it's a rotten shame all those women are screwed-up in the head and let this happen to them. Well, that's my
two cents worth.

Dave | 9:33 p.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Has there been a rape conviction for Jeffs to be an accomplice to? Why wasn't the 19 year old husband charged with rape? Why wasn't the partent charged with being an accomplice before charging lessor parties like Jeffs?

NM | 11:46 p.m. Sept. 22, 2007

Paul you have an incredible understanding of the history involve. Just glad you ain't me neighbor.

LHH | 11:55 p.m. Sept. 22, 2007

As for the rape charge for the ex-husband, he was also brainwashed in this sicko church of high cooercion. Jeffs gave the orders. Maybe he went along with it, but it wasn't his idea. Jeffs and this little girl's step-father thought it up.
As for Warren Jeffs starting this church, he did not. It has been around for a long time and was headed by Warren's father, Rulon Jeffs (until he died) for many, many years. Just FYI.
I lived in Utah for many years and was so appalled by the polygamist practices of these outcast Mormons that I am thrilled that finally something is being done. I hope and pray that money WILL be awarded to this woman and that she will be able to set up the fund to help girls get out if they do not want to be married off like chattel.
I hope they put Jeffs in jail where he will probably have his miserable life put to an end by fellow inmates who do not look kindly on adults who abuse children.
My 3 and a half dollars worth!

BC | 3:54 p.m. Sept. 24, 2007

Funny how religious people throw out the word brainwashed when itï¿½s a religion they donï¿½t agree with. But the teen girls that married J. Smith werenï¿½t brainwashed where they?

NET | 8:24 p.m. Sept. 24, 2007

One of the reasons that the FLDS and Warrens Jeffs, or the many other fundementalist polygamy groups have been able to Warp the groups into cilts, is because they are "secret" groups, they live on the fringe, only the first wife is legally a wife, there fore none of the other wives have any recourse or benefits, they have been brainwashed since childhood, and are kept uneducated, in fear and under control. It is not the Polygamy persay that is wrong, it is the attitudes, lifestyle and women as obediant second class citizens. for over 100 years they have built a community based on the older priveleged males as supreme, and as a "prophet" with the ability to rule and direct the lives of everyone. this is waht is sick, it is what is wrong. I would like to see how many wives they would keep if they had to legally marry all of them, that would take the other's off of the welfare dole out?

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