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FLDS teen seeking a new lawyer

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Joey | 5:29 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Malonis says they have a working relationship. Seems not. Just last week Teresa complained on the voices for the children FLDS site petition to set her friend free, as follows: "When I was at High Sky my sweet attorney was looking into making me have to stay in state custody alone for a little longer. The thought made me sick and almost made me go out of my mind. "
Note the sarcasm regarding her attorney. In any event, Teresa is 17. Why does this matter? It's the age of consent, bringing into question the need to make decisions on her behalf regarding sexual matters; and secondly, Walther ruled a couple weeks ago that a 17 year old, the son of Barbara Jessop, was old enough to take care of himself.
Lilathe | 5:35 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
At the very minimum an attorney should follow his/her clients wishes.
I would be terrified if my very freedom was at stake --- foster care can be worse than prison, at least in prison you are allowed to keep in contact by letters with anyone you want to. In foster care they remove contact with everyone from your "old" life. ----
If my very freedom was at stake and my lawyer went against me in all my desires, then I would assume that in the great free US of A, I could get a lawyer to represent ME.
This isn't happening to Teresa Jeffs. Her lawyer is trying to act like the DA or prosecuting attorney.
zxcvbnm | 7:41 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Sure Malonis has a duty........a duty to mind her own business and leave the 17 year old girl alone. Teresa will testify that she has never had sexual relations with Raymond......another case of child abuse solved.
I guess we have another instance of making something from nothing.
What a waste of time and money.
Comments continue below
Cali | 7:51 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
It's not like Teresa is asking she not be appointed any attorney ad litem, she's asking she be appointed a new one who will listen to their client and not fight her at every turn. She's asking to have proper representation for the Grand Jury, something that should be done by a criminal attorney, not a family court attorney who by all her actions so far, is batting for the prosecution. She's asking for the same rights as any other US citizen. One must question the court, the States and Malonis' agenda in not allowing what is really a simple request. If Teresa had not been Warren Jeffs daughter, would we be seeing a 17 year old having to go to court and fight to have another ad litem appointed? Would we be seeing her personal life and court information leaked to the press as we have not seen done in the case of the 400 plus other young persons involved in this mess? I hope we don't see this fight go on until she's 18 and sweetly tells Malonis, the court and the State of Texas all to go to hell and get out of her life.
nosugrof | 8:39 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Teresa Jeffs is the same age as Bristol Palin. I wonder if Judge Walther cares about that. If Bristol was FLDS, she would be on her way to foster care.
Anonymous | 8:53 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
It's hard to take Teresa seriously as an adult when every comment she makes sounds either rude or sarcastic and I have yet to see her without a disgusted look on her face.

Actually, she comes across as exactly what she is: a sheltered, albeit mouthy, teenager who doesn't know what's best for herself.
realitycheck | 9:00 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Let the girl go home to her mother. Why do we care? She's 17 now.

It's not like any of these people are going to make any kind of contribution to society. After so much inbreeding, the average IQ is probably under a hundred.

So the (relatively) smart ones will get out first chance, and the others will (and should) stay. Society has enough problems without adding a few thousand dueling-banjo children to the mix.

I do feel bad for the young children, never really understanding the real world, never getting a decent education, no chance for life outside the clan, only learning (line by line) every rule ever invented from the book of mormon and the bible. Never to understand that the books are user guides, not operating manuals.

But once they're 16 or 17 and if they still can think coherently, then they will run for the hills. And really those are the only ones we want out here anyway. The rest only need to know the difference between a 2" nail and a 5" nail, or how to tell when their water breaks.

Send the girl home and leave these people alone. It's a win-win situation.
Cosmo | 9:17 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Re:Anonymous;Do you know what is best for this young
lady? She states she is not, nor has been sexually abused. Do you know for sure, either way. If she says,her attorney is not properly representing her, by what standard can you,or any of us say different.
I must have missed something in civics class. I was under the impression, that an attorney should work with, and represent their client, not the state.
anon | 9:29 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
You must have missed something in civics. Attorneys for minors work for the best interests of their client, not necessarily at their client's directives.

The FLDS "state" a lot of things. They are quite comfortable with lying to the public. I doubt Teresa would have ever admitted her 'marriage' to Raymond at age fifteen if there wasn't already ample proof of it from her father's writings.

Gal50 | 9:51 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Anon is correct. Attorneys do not represent the wishes of minor children, but represent the best interest of the minor children. Some people probably believe that Teresa Jeffs had sexual intercourse with Raymond Jessop. Given the photos of her father tongue kissing 12 year-olds, it seems reasonable to suppose that there is some sort of sexual activity between these children and their adult husbands. At any rate, Teresa Jeffs may be unable to provide an honest account of Raymond's sexual behavior toward her and therefore, caution must be taken. She should not have been married to this older man and it is clear that she was. Malonis is correct in her actions.

Bristol Palin's pregnancy is completely different. It is clear that no one assigned her to her boyfriend or indoctrinated her to wish to have sex or become pregnant at such a young age. The statements by her mother are typical of statements any mother outside the FLDS would make. Outside the FLDS, parents don't want their teen children to become pregnant.

Given that Teresa Jeffs is 17, it is important for the judge to consider what she is going to do when she is 18.
Joey | 10:33 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Well, Gal50, it appears then the premise for this ad litem arrangement is that the state always knows what's best for a child and not the child's parents. Might as well force every one to sign over custody rights of their children to the state at birth in exchange for secondary guardianship rights, right? It seems that's the case. The state has no solid proof Teresa was abused, yet they have moved to put her in foster care, terminate her mother's custody rights, etc., etc. Apparently the state has assumed the role of parent for all children, and just "knows" what's in their best interest. Gee, living in Texas is like living in a big cult, if you ask me. There, rant finished.
realitycheck | 10:40 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
isn't it bad enough that these people waste their entire lives hidden away and praying 24/7, hoping they are considered "special" on the other side?

do we really need to pile on more grief? should we really be spending tax-payer money on a people that are never going anywhere anyway?

I'm simply amused that they are willing to throw away everything God gave them, and hide in their little holes, and then think they are honoring Him. He's gotta be disappointed (to put it nicely) that they would waste his gift of life. You only get one (or so they say).

And did you really think isolation and repression of children (and the ocassional pimping) is a ticket to the big show? Come on - no one can be that niave.

but hey - freedom of religion - do your thing, FLDS. Just try not to pimp them out under the age of 16 or 17. That's not even good parenting.

Oh - and by the way - NO MEANS NO. So the next little girl that says she doesn't want to marry her uncle or stepfather, cut her a break and let her find her own husband.
Cosmo | 10:41 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Re:anon & Gal50; I understand that this attorney is to represent the "Best intrest of the Minor", however, in this situation it appears that this relationship may have broken down. It might be prudent that the court allow Teresa a new attorney, that she would feel more comfortable with. Unless the court is afraid of something coming to light, that they would rather keep suppressed.
The most important issue is, Teresa's rights and her
welfare.Even at 17, she is to be afforded her Constitutional Rights, all of them.
Arian | 10:57 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
It is none of the judge's business what she chooses to do when she is 18. This girl should not have to suffer from the misguided efforts of the state of Texas to force their ethics and agenda down her throat. Please don't assume that these FLDS people are stupid simply because their ideas of how to live their lives is different from yours and mine. There are plenty of folks in this country who choose to live a simpler life style, and from what I've read, the foster homes and schools they placed these children into had to put them in advance of the general population in classes because their home schooling is superior. A good number of the mothers are college grads and very bright.
re Cosmo 10:41am | 11:00 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
if her rights and welfare are the most important issue, then obviously she shouldn't go back to parents that just want a baby machine. how would that be in her best interest?

and her constitutional rights directly conflict with her parents constitutional rights. How do you reconcile the two? or do children have no constitutional right to a reasonable future?
gretchen | 11:06 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Teresa Jeffs: daughter of a hardened pedophile.. her "marriage" the day after she turned 15 was with a few hours' notice, to a man at least 36, who has other "concubines"/wives..HIS dad has teen "wives" (he is 72.) Teresa's letters to"husband" show unbridled enthusiasm to "get together"-- that's what Malonis is attempting to deal with. All flds kids are indeed groomed to accept whatever relationship is foisted upon them, as cps correctly deduced after interviewing numerous kids at the ranch and after taken to town. Several girls answered there is no age too young for marriage for a girl, when asked by state workers. I have spent thousands of hours looking into this group. They have created a society so infatuated with child marriage, polygamy, and frequent childbirth that no one can understand their mindset from a more typical worldview . They are fixated on the "prophet" basically as their God, and will abandon children, everything, at any of his whim-driven dictates. He is most iterested in continuing the "mystery" of his wisdom in their eyes. A little girl at yfz said she had a 15 yr old sister in midst of fifth pregnancy.Think this is all okey-dokey?












anon | 11:12 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Joey, it DOES appear, in this case, that the state knows what's best for a child and not the child's parents. Permitting and encouraging a 15-year-old girl to enter into a relationship with a 35+ married man demonstrates shockingly bad parental judgement. There is proof of this relationship in Warren Jeffs' writings, Teresa's diary, her leters and photos. I believe this isn't the only underage 'marriage' her parents have condoned, either.
Joey | 11:17 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
reality and re: cosmo, you are making judgement calls based on the premise that a "reasonable future" entails 1) going to public school, 2) going to college, 3) getting a job; which goes for both male and female. That's what the state wants these children to do, and what it will force or "strongly encourage." In other words, the state wants to make them slaves. See? It's all a matter of perspective. The notion of "freedom" depends on one's perspective/bias.
Cosmo | 11:26 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Re:re;There is nothing obvious. This young lady is to be afforded,"Authentic Due Process",nothing less.
Also, there is no such thing as a constitutional right to a reasonable future.
I addressed that,there appears to be a conflict with
her appointed attorney, and I suggested a possible way to address that issue.
As far as to where, and how the young lady at issue
lives, will be up to the court, then when she is 18
the court is irrelevant.
nosugrof | 11:27 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
The Deseret News should stop saying that CASA is an independent orginization. In the FLDS case CASA has done nothing but rubber stamp every move made by CPS.
MV | 11:33 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Gretchen: If you have spent so many hours "looking" into the FLDS, you would know half of what you post is exaggerated and sounds like some of the CPS or Flora stories.
A fifteen year old in the midst of a fifth pregnancy?? Come on now, do the math.
If such a story was told by a little FLDS girl, it was only after being grilled by CPS and she told them what they wanted to hear.
re Arian 10:57am | 11:34 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
yes - the 15 yr olds score higher than general population 15 yr olds, as long as there is nothing about dinosaurs or the moon in the test questions. They scored at the 17 yr old level.

the 25 yr olds score the same as the 15 yr olds. So book learning pretty much stops at 15 yrs old (or 17 depending on how you want to look at it.)

you are incorrect that a good number of the mothers are college grads. Very few are college educated, and all "graduates" used on-line courses, most of which are unaccredited. So they took the same classes that most universities use when observing and testing chimpanzees.

The FLDS believe that taking any on-line class is a college class, and claim to be college graduates when they pass an on-line certificate program. They have no understanding of bachelors and masters degrees, and they certainly don't have a career day at their "high school".

What size nail to use and figuring out whether their water broke are really the only things they need to know. And the FLDS go to great lengths to ensure their followers don't know more than they need to.
nosugrof | 11:37 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Gtrechen anon: Teresa says ahe has never had sex, so she has not been abused. Stop being naive and buying into CPS propaganda. The people of the FLDS have consistently told the truth. Remember the CPS are the people who said that 25 of 31 girls ages 14-17 had been or were pregnant. and you naive souls still swallow their lies.
nosugrof | 11:39 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
that was 31 of 53 girls and it shrank down to 5.
re: nosugrof | 12:13 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Teresa *says* she has never had sex. Sure. And they *say* they don't know where the men are. And all the FLDS mothers *say* they didn't known nuthin' bout no underage marriages, even when their teenage daughters made statements about how no age is too young for marriage.

"The people of the FLDS have consistently told the truth."
I don't even know where to start with such blindness.
realitycheck | 12:31 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
re Joey 11:17am

no one said a reasonable future is as you described. A reasonable future is simply the future the child chooses, given as much information and opportunity as possible.

Just the fact that 99.99999% of books are banned by FLDS ensures the children can never really choose their future. How can you choose a future when you have so little information?

there is absolutely no legitimate reason to ban most books, other than to keep the followers in line.
nosugrof | 1:00 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Unreality Check: Bristol Palin is the same age as Teresa Jeffs
nosugrof | 1:08 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
The line that no age is too young to get married was reported by the liars from CPS. one more time, CPS are the people who said 31 of 53 girls age 14-17 had been or were pregnant. 26 of these said that they were adults. Everyone, who said they were adults, turned out to be adults. Unless you are CPS, Judge Walther or a willfully blind FLDS hater, you know who to believe.
If it were me--- | 1:14 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
If it were me and I was 17, I would hold the grudge untill 18 and then let the attorny have it with both fists slapping her up side the head. In a few months, this girl can walk and no one can stop her so why are we caring now? Lets try and be more helpful to her and listen to her desires and needs.
re: nosugrof | 1:37 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
When CPS said 31 of 53 girls age 14-17 had been or were pregnant, it was early on in the investigation and they were using the best information available to them at the time. CPS provided false information because they themselves were misinformed. I understand that it would be difficult to obtain solid numbers and concrete details from a group of people commmitted to concealing crimes.

When the FLDS provide false information, they do so deliberately and with full knowledge. That's the difference.
realitycheck | 1:41 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
re nosugrof 1pm

what does the fact that they are the same age have to do with my 10:48am comment?

did you read and comprehend my post, or just do an FLDS "look at the pictures and try to understand" scan of it? try actually reading it and comprehending it, and then respond. Works better that way....
x | 1:58 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
It sounds like this girl is a normal 17 yr old rebelling against anything. But, then people think that since this girl is 17, she is either old enough to make her own decisions or she is still a minor girl, that can't make her own decisions because of her age. Where do you draw the line for minor age Texas? What about that boy that was 17, his case was dismissed because he was 17 and considered an adult. This girl said she wasn't a victim of sexual assault, maybe is lying, I don't know. But, one thing is clear, that this girl doesn't want to be part of the court system and wants to be left alone. Has anyone asked this girl if she wants to live a flds life or a normal American life? One person commented " the girl will be 18 soon, then what can the court do?" That sounds like a wise question to ask.
zxcvbnm | 2:32 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Guess what sports fans. The girl is 17 now and can consumate a sexual relationship with any person she desires.
Everyone can carry on about what she may or may not have done at 15 but she denies doing anything. She has no baby, there is no proof of sex. CPS confirmed the lack of a pregnancy.
Written documents may confirn what she wanted to do but they do not prove she did anything other than get betrothed to a man.
No proof people.........and now Teresa can do as she wishes.
GiGi13 | 2:38 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Think for a moment. What IF, Teresa is "SARAH"?! Can you possibly imagine what pressure would come to bear on her from FLDS? Like a ton of bricks crashing down on her. Why else would restraining order be needed from Willie the Thug? IF Teresa is "SARAH," then what COULD she possibly say to her attorney in public, that the FLDS would hear loud and clear? Just think of the predicament she would be in IF she were "SARAH"?!!
Check out Malonis' record | 2:53 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
This young woman doesn't want Malonis for her lawyer. If the information I have read about the woman is true, I wouldn't either! Check it out for yourselves and decide whether you'd want her for your lawyer or for your daughter's.
There is no earthly reason why the court can't appoint another lawyer.
re: zxcvbnm | 3:01 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
"No proof people.........and now Teresa can do as she wishes."

What's all this bellyaching to the press about, then?
GiGi13 | 3:03 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
re Cosmo 11:00 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008 - Excellent points!!! (loud applause)

AND THEN THERE'S: nosugrof | 11:37 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008 - "...Stop being naive and buying into CPS propaganda. The people of the FLDS have consistently told the truth..."

Nosugrof, perhaps you could explain why Merril, himself, lied to the authorities by telling them on the first day of the raid, that there were ONLY 100 men, women and children on the compound. Then the next day that number more than doubled when Merril told authorities that there were ONLY 250 men, women and children.

I fail to see the truth in this?!
griz | 3:15 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
It looks like malonus is trying to cover her own problems being that she is a child abuser her self. She should back out of this case
common sense | 3:23 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
Ive not seen any documents that say Theresa Jeffs never had sex, or ever had a child? So zxcvbm, I think it would be interesting for you to produce those documents?
The fact is, she is married to raymond jessop who has been indicted and lives on that ranch. She shouldnt be around HIM or any other man who has been indicted.
nosugrof | 3:36 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
gal50: many times CPS an their judge have tried to be clairvoiant. but i have doubts that they can predict what a 17 year old can do when she's 18.
What?! | 3:39 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
How many 12 year olds have been married by the FLDS? TOO many, that is the answer. How many LIES have been told by these people who think it is okay to LIE for the LORD (!!??) and still there are those (nsugrof) who will not look at the facts and just defend. Pedophile defenders are a sad bunch!
nosugrof | 3:50 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
1:37 comment: The CPS chose to listen to the lies of Flora Jessop. She claimed that dozens of FLDS teenagers were pregnant. With that mindset, CPS raided the XYZ Ranch and found it expected to find. Evidence like birth cirtificates and drivers liscences were ignored. From there CPS went on to claim that 31 0f 53 girls had been or were pregnant. 26 of these "girls" said they were adults. CPS was forced to admit that those FLDS women who said they were adults were adults. ONE MORE TIME!!!! WHO SHOULD YOU BELIEVE?????
common sense | 4:16 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
There were marriages even after Jeffs went to prison. Merrill Jessop performed them, he was Bishop of YFZ ranch.
253 children have been nonsuited. Did you know there were 200 children on that ranch from 0-5yrs old? There were also at least 5 girls from canada.
You dont just say Okay its costing to much money, you investigate and you use fact, and evidence.
zxcvbnm | 5:08 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

re common sense: It makes no difference where Teresa lives.....she can now have sex with any person she choses to have sex with. I am betting Raymond will be her first pick.

Read the information out there for yourself concerning the lack of sexual experience of Teresa. I don't intend to do your homework.
re nosugrof 3:50pm | 5:31 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
lol - you just proved everyone's point.

imagine if an informant told the police that a big drug operation was at a ranch. The police show up, people start hiding, and the police find a bunch of bags of powder. They arrest everyone.

They get back to headquarters and find out that the bags of powder are flour and the people were baking bread. The people arrested never said so because they were trained to lie and not talk to the police.

So.... are the police at fault or are the breadbakers at fault? And if the people are released, do they really have a right to complain when they brought it upon themselves?
common sense | 8:14 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
I doubt raymond jessop will be going anywhere! Hes been indicted... So its possible Theresa Jeffs may do what she wants, but she will do it without Raymond Jessop
zxcvbnm | 8:54 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Yep.....ole Raymond has been indited,not convicted. If the only witness to sex with Raymond is Teresa Jeffs and Teresa hasn't had sex ole Raymond walks.
Wouldn't that be a hoot........the non pregnant virgin saves the man she is accused of having sex with.
Noone denys that Teresa wants to be with Raymond, even her diary supports the fact that she wants to be with Raymond. The problem is there is no proof that she has been with Raymond.
Teresa is 17.......with or without a marraige certificate the US Supreme court says Teresa can be with anyone she chooses. The State of Texas can't restrict Teresas sexual choices.
.
Bruce | 9:46 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008
realitycheck | 9:00 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008
"After so much inbreeding, the average IQ is probably under a hundred."

1. By definition, half of the country has a IQ under 100.

2. By definition, marriage between first cousins is not inbreeding and was legal in both Texas and Utah before the anti-FLDS laws.

I have a reality check for you. Next time you want to ridicule someone's IQ, don't use arguments that make you sound like your own IQ is below 80.
Bruce | 9:54 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008
realitycheck | 12:31 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
"99.99999% of books are banned by FLDS"

I can't wait to see your list of 9,999,999 books banned by the FLDS.

Please stop. You make yourself sound REALLY dumb.
Dennis | 9:56 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008
realitycheck | 1:41 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008
"did you read and comprehend my post"

Why do you use the word "comprehend"? The correct word is "understand". Could it be because you want to sound like you have an IQ over 100?

Well, it's not working.

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