Polygamist sect leader fires lawyers in trial

ej510

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Thu Jul-28-11 12:56 PM
Original message

Polygamist sect leader fires lawyers in trial

(Reuters) - Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs threw his sexual assault trial into disarray on Thursday when he fired all of his defense lawyers and demanded the right to represent himself.

"My counsel doesn't have the full understanding of the facts and are unable to assist in my defense," Jeffs, 55, told the court in a slow, halting voice. "I have trained my defense, but they were unable to do what I said. I am presenting the need for true justice to be presented, and for the truth to come out."

State District Judge Barbara Walther recessed the hearing in San Angelo, Texas so she could consider Jeffs' demand.

Jeffs is charged with child sexual assault and aggravated child sexual assault in connection with his "spiritual marriages" to a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl at the Yearning for Zion Ranch in remote west Texas. Jeffs founded the ranch in 2003 as an outpost for his breakaway Mormon sect.

Read more at the link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/28/us-texas-polygamist-trial-idUSTRE76R5ND20110728

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Sarah Ibarruri

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Thu Jul-28-11 01:02 PM
Response to Original message

1. He's using delay tactics. He'd better not piss off the judge. Or, on the other hand....

I hope he does piss off the judge.

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ej510

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Thu Jul-28-11 01:26 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. I am not against Polygamy, but a lot of these polygamist, give their daughters away to old men.

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Sarah Ibarruri

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Thu Jul-28-11 03:22 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. Why wouldn't you be against polygamy? Would you want your daughter(s) to be part of a harem? nt

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RebelOne

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Thu Jul-28-11 03:25 PM
Response to Reply #2

5. You are not against polygamy????!!!!

Please explain why.

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Emelina

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Thu Jul-28-11 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. We have 435 congresspeople who are screwing 330 million Americans!

So I suppose that is a form of polygamy.

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Name removed

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Thu Jul-28-11 01:49 PM
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3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Emelina

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Thu Jul-28-11 03:31 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. Why can't these guys wait until women are 18?

I mean really, polygamy is not bad but maybe the government should make a deal with these groups -- let them live as they wish as long as they agree not to enter into marriage with anyone under 18.

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treestar

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Thu Jul-28-11 03:32 PM
Response to Original message

8. Of course he can't take his lawyers' advice

They would not do as he said. Which was probably stupid stuff that would have harmed his case.

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