0 1\ ' 11 II ' .'. day after jury selection in Warren Jeffs' sexual assault trial, and Deric Walpole, the head of the defense team, seemed ner­ vous. This was understandable, given the circumstances. Jeffs, the prophet ofthe Fundamen- . talist Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), had discharged his court-appointed attorney in January, hired a FortWorthhotshot named Jeff Kearney soon after, and dis­ missed Kearney abruptly in early July. Then, on July 20, only five days before jury selection was scheduled to begin at the Tom Green County courthouse in San Angelo, he retained Walpole, a compact, burly man with a thick goatee from the McKinney firm ofLuce, Nordhaus, and Walpole. fj Walpole spentmuch ofthat first day begging Judge Barbara Walther for a continuance. ''I've been working twenty, twenty­ one hours a day, and I'm still not ready," he explained. "Things are moving even quicklier­ quicker-than originally pro­ jected." The prosecutor, Eric Nichols, sighed and countered

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T eX AS M 0 NTH I. Y . CO M 9 4 " ph(.H 0 9T{~phbySAA.AH WILSON thatJeffshadnotonlyhadplentyoftimetohire counselbut is not proper English.") fj'"l![l hadretainedseveralhighlyqualified attorneys,afewofwhom When Jeffs finished, ~ weresittingbyWalpole'sside. OnememberofWalpole'steam, Walther pulled offher whohadabraceonhisleftmidcllefinger,justhappenedto be readingglasses andcalled casuallyflexing his injured digit duringthe argument. a recess. Somelocal ladies Walpole's motion was denied, which turned out notto in their sixties started matter much.The next morninghe announced, "Mr. Jeffs whispering to one an­ has released all defense attorneys ofrecord and wishes to other."Thisisunreal," one address the court." said. "Oh, God," said an­ "Mr. Jeffs, proceed," said Judge Walther, with an air that other. Nichols, like aboxer seemed to acknowledge that order and decorumwere edg­ who suddenlyfound him­ ingtheir waytowardthe exit. selfintheringwithanim­ Jeffs slowly stood up to make what would be his first­ provisationaldancer,was ever public speech. As a courtroom ofpeople cranedtheir unsure where to look or necksto get agoodviewofhim, thewoodbenches creaked. whatto do.Jeffs's lawyers Jeffs is a tall, thin man, and he was dressed on that day in quicklygravitatedtoward a dark suit and sensible blackshoes. His graying hair was the back ofthe room to cut short, and he stooped over as if, at age 55, he'd had an confer with one another. earlyonset ofosteoporosis. With hishandsfolded infront I asked Kearney, who had ofhiswaist, hebegan speakingin a slow, deep, nasalmono­ beenfired daysbeforebut tone. "I have released all my counsel. I desire to represent had notbeen withdrawn by the court, ifanythinglike this myself," he said.Hepaused for a few seconds. "And I would had ever happened to him before. It was a dumb question. like my own motion."Again,he paused. "I have prepared a "No," he said. writingofthe court..I have signed this writingifthe court Thetrialresumedanhourlater. JudgeWaltheraskedJeffs will allow ittobe presented." Walpole passed Jeffs'swrit­ toreconsiderhisdecision.Whenherefused, sheinsistedthat ingto thebailiff, and thejudge obligingly acceptedthe pa­ oneofhis attorneysremain as "stand-bycounsel"inthegal­ pers.Shewaited a longtime,growingimpatient,and finally lery, ajobleftforWalpole, with assistancefrom a well-man­ asked, "Whatelse, sir?'; icuredyoungHoustonlawyernamedEmilyDetoto. Theoth­ Jeffs startedup again as ifsomeonehad released a pause ers,Walthersaid, couldgo iftheywished. Theydid, practically button. "Presenta motionbeforethis courtin a manner in leavingskidmarks onthe courthouse lawn. the defense needed pertainingthis case," he said. Repeat­ Goingfullsteamahead, Nicholsbuttonedhissuitcoatand ing awkward phrases strung together in a halting fash­ began his opening argument. A trim, bald man with an un­ ion, he mentioned requiring flappable style, he had recently left his position as Texas's a "greater understanding" for deputy attorney general for criminaljustice to go into pri­ left: Jeffs is escorted from "truth to be preserved." For vatepractice,buthehad stayedonthe caseto see itthrough, the Tom Green County courthouse on August 9 "true justice" to be served, he backed up by a handful ofassociates.In a methodical man­ after sentencing. Top: Jeffs said, he neededa "fulldefense!' ner,hetoldthejurythatinchargeone, the aggravated sexual with one of his underage brides.Bottom: Agroup por· (A schoolteacherseatedbeside assault ofa twelve-year-old, theywould hear an audiotape trait of fifty of Jeffs's wives. me leanedover and said,"That ofthe incident, and inchargetwo,the sexual assault ofafif­

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T EXAS MONTHLY.CO M teen-year-old, they would see evidence thatachild was conceived. ing. After an FBI agent named John Broadway authenticated a Both assaults, he explained, had occurred at the FLDS's Yearning chart listing the members ofJeffs's extended family, Jeffs rose for Zion Ranch, in Eldorado, 45 minutessouth ofSan Angelo. Hold­ from his seat. ingup charts explainingthe relevant Texas penal code sections, he "There is a sacred trust drawn by religious leadership," he ex­ was somber and unemotional. He never raised his voice, and when claimed, "nbt to be touched by government agencies.... This is a he was done, he simply walked back to his chair and sat down. standard objection ... on the basis ofreligious freedom." And so on. Throughoutthe presentation, Jeffs satsilently in his chair, alone Ahalfhour in,justwhen he seemedto be flagging, he caught a sec­ athis long, wooden table, staringdown as ifhewere examining the ondwind, becoming animated, breaking his monotone, and actu­ world's slowest-moving beetle. As the daywent on, Nichols ques­ ally addressing thejury. "I am the fifth tioned witnesses and displayed evidence: documents and digital generationborn into plural marriage," lefl:One of Jeffs's former media seized from the YFZ Ranch, DNA samples, public records. he said. "How canwethrowitaway and slepmolhers, Rebecca Eachtimehe placed an item on say our forefathers were wrong-who Musser, awilness for Ihe prosecullon, leaves Ihe Jeffs's table, he would wait fif­ went to prison for these very princi­ courlhouse on AuguSll. teenseconds,then take itaway, ples?" It seemed like an apt endingto Below: Aco uriroom skelch without a word from Jeffs. his speech, butJeffs carried on. Some of [from lefll Jeffs, lead defense allorney Deric Itwas surprising, then, when ofthejurors appeared to feel sorryfor Walpole, lead proseculor Jeffs finally offered an objec­ him, yet eventheir interest seemed to Eric Nichols, and Judge tion-somewhatrandomly-the waneataboutthe 45-minute mark Fif­ Barbara Wallher. OpPosile, lOP:Nichols speaks 10 Ihe nextday. Nota briefone, either. teen minutes later, Jeffs ended with an media aller Jeffs' senlen­ Itlastedmore than anhour and "Amen." Taking that as his cue, Nich­ cing. Bollom: Walpole and fellow defense allor­ would prove to be the longest ols stood up and began, "I think! state nev Emilv Delolo field speech ofthe entire proceed­ the obvious-" queSlions from Ihe press.

THIS WAS HARDLY JEFFS'S ONLY NOTABLE PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY. LATER, WHILE THE J A PURPORTED REVELATION FROM GOD. "I, THE LORD GOD OF HEAVEN, CALL UPON THE COUR

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T f! X AS M O N THL Y. CO M ------"May I say one more thing?" tattletale, a quality he later encouraged in others. He also gained a Jeffs interrupted. Nichols reputation among church members as aPeepingTom, a curious boy sat back down, deflated, and too afraid to actually talk to girls. the jury was graced with Before Warren was 21years old, he became principal oftheFLDS's about fifteen more minutes private school, Alta Academy, where he tested his power to indoc­ ofmaterial. trinate the upcoming generation. Children would be quizzed onhis This was hardly Jeffs's only daily morning speeches. He de-emphasized science and current notable performance ofthe events and rewrote coursework to reflect his interpretation ofFLDS day. Later, while thejurywas theology. In1997, after his father fell ill, Warrenbegan positioning onbreak, he pulled some pa­ himselfto replace Rulon as president and prophet. In a manner perworkoutofamanilaenve­ thatwas as insensitive as itwas transparent, he told church mem­ lope and recited a purported bers shortly after Rulon suffered a major stroke, "My father has revelation from God. "I, the the mental capacityofa child. I am now myfather's mouthpiece." Lord God ofheaven, call upon No one challenged his assumption ofpower, even when Warren the court to now cease this began arranging marriages betweenthe silver-pompadoured Ru­ persecution against my holy way," he boomed. "Let it stop now!" Ion and disturbinglyyoungwives. Buttheydid:worry about his ac­ He sent a scourge "upon the prosecutorial zeal, to be humbled by tions privately. According to Utahprivate investigator SamBrow­ sickness and death." Whenthe judge instructedhim notto have an er'sbookProphet'sPrey, a visitingCanadianFLDS bishop was bold outburst infront ofthe juryor imply theymight be in danger, Jeffs enoughto voice his concern to Rulon about the marriages. To his replied quietly, "I am relaying a message." surprise,the baffled Rulon responded, "I don'tknow. Ask Warren. "Well, don't relaythe message," Walther said tersely. "Bring the Why am I being married to all these young girls?" juryin." Warren's design became clearer in 2002, when Rulon died and

Y WAS ON BREAK, HE PULLED SOME PAPERWORK OUT OF A MANILA ENVELOPE AND RECITED o NOW CEASE THIS PERSECUTION AGAINST MY HOLY WAY," HE BOOMED. "LET IT STOP NOW!"

he took over. Two days after his father's death, he announced to the men, "Hands offmyfather's wives!" and in short order began mar­ rying manyofthem himself. Anyone in his flock who hadn't taken him seriously would soon fear his wrath. In 2003, for the first time in decades, Utah author­ THE TRIAL WAS OVER, IT SEEMED LIKE IT HAD BEEN ASTRANGE DREAM. OVER THE COURSE OF ities began prosecuting FLDS members for bigamy and unlawful ten days, the state presented an overwhelming case, an avalanche sexwith their underage wives, and by the end ofthe year, Jeffs had ofevidence revealing the inner workings ofa secretive religious begun plotting to move to Eldorado, far from the Utah authorities' sectthathasquietly practiced polygamy throughout NorthAmer­ prying eyes. (Itprobablydidn'thurtthat, at the time, the age ofmar­ ica for more than one hundred years. (The mainstream Mormon italconsentwith a parent's permission inTexas was fourteen; after church, from which the FLDS descended, abandoned the practice theFLDS arrived, itwas raised to sixteen.) ICONTINUED ON PAGE 191 in 1890.) The decision by the group's prophet to represent himselfwas odd enough. Butthe sermons, the interminable silences, and the revelations from the Lord-not to mention the horrific evidence itself-made for one ofthe mostbizarre trials in U.S. history. Itwas clearfromthemomentJeffs openedhismouth,how­ ever,thathe did notsee this trial as an oddity. Rather, heviewed it as a historic moment, and himselfas a martyr. The FLDS was not, as he said a few times during the trial, a "fly-by-night" religion. Unlike self-made cultleaders such as David Koresh and Jim Jones, Warren Steed Jeffs was born into his religion. For decades the FLDS hasbeencentered in the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City,Arizona, collectively known as Short Creek. Warren's father, Rulon Jeffs, became president and prophet in 1986. Though Warren was not Rulon's first­ born-or even a child ofhis first wife-Rulon rushed to the boy's side afterhewas borntenweeks premature and always favored him. Ever the opportunist, Warren madethe most of thesituation. He grew from ashy, skinny kid into a smart, pim­ ply teenager, confident in his privileged status. He became a

<.9cto6er 2011 1113 Non-Prophet Services, holding interviews in an attempt CONTI NUEO FROM PAGE 113 to find Barlow, became alarmed at the num­ There, he said, themostelite members ofthe ber ofYFZ children who mentioned under­ group would be rewarded with admittance age marriages, and more than four hundred . into the YFZ Ranch, and the faithful would childrenwere taken into custody. The state "receive ordinances to bring [them] into the soon suffered humiliating reversals offor­ presence ofGod." The "unworthy" would re­ tune: "Sarah Jessop Barlow" was revealed main in Short Creek, aplacethatwould be "re­ tobe a 33-year-old Colorado woman named jected and eventually destroyed." In January Rozita Swinton who had a history ofmak­ 2004 more than twenty men in Short Creek ing false reports to the police; ahigher court were accused ofdisobedience, excommuni­ ruled that Walther had improperly kept the cated, and sent away from their families to YFZ children in state custody; and the chil­ "repent from afar," a decision that mystified dren were eventually returned to the FLDS the community and uprooted numerous wives community. Butthe criminal process was just and children who were assigned to new men. ramping up. Duringthe search ofthe ranch, The message was loud and clear: the slight­ authorities had discovered a cache ofdamag­ est hint ofdisloyalty could result in imme­ ing evidence that, by summer's end, resulted diate expulsion. inthe indictments oftwelve men, including Butwhile Jeffs was gaining more control of Jeffs, who was charged with sexual assault, his personal universe ofsome 10,000 people, aggravated sexual assault, and bigamy. theworld outside the FLDS had begun clos­ Inthe fall of2010 the Utah Supreme Court, ingin. Jeffs's nephew Brent Jeffs sued him for citing faulty jury instructions, overturned Jef­ damages caused by sexual abuse. In August fs's conviction for rape as anaccomplice. But 2004 six young men brought a civil lawsuit thisseeming stroke ofluck proved short-lived. against Jeffs, seeking financial compensa­ While Utah officials debated whether to retry tion for the hardshiptheyhad suffered after . the case, Texas, seeing an opportunity, extra­ he excommunicated them. Then, in April dited himfor trial inTom Green County. On 2006, Jeffs was indicted onhis first criminal November 30, authorities escorted Warren charges: rape as an accomplice for arrang­ Jeffs throughthe frosty Salt Lake City night ingthe marriage between afourteen-year­ to an unmarked plane, which would deliver old girl and her nineteen-year-old cousin. him, ultimately, to ajail cell in Big Lake, an He immediatelywent on the lam, hiding out hour outside Eldorado. invarious places, including Eldorado, where The following morning inWal ther's court, he married the twelve-year-old who became the pale, gangly prisoner wore a gray sweat­ his final bride. shirtover anorange jumpsuit. WhenWalther Hewas captured onAugust 28, 2006, dur­ asked ifhe had retained counsel, he responded ing a routine traffic stop near Las Vegas, after so quietly she asked himto move the micro­ havingspent114 days onthe FBI's Ten Most phone closerto his mouth. "I need more time," Wanted list. Inside his flashy red 2007 Ca­ he said. Faced with charges more serious than dillac Escalade, officers found four comput­ any he had dealt with before, he hardly re­ ers, sixteen cell phones, more than $55,000 sembled the charismatic leader many had in cash, three wigs, and twelve pairs ofsun­ envisioned, the man who made his 10,000 glasses. While awaiting trial, he attempted followers quiver. suicide by hanginghimselfand throwing him­ Jeffs hasn't caught a break since. Canadian self against his cell wall. The followingyeru; authorities began digging through theTexas he was convicted inUtah oftwo first -degree trove ofFLDS documents anddiscovered un­ felony counts ofrape as an accomplice, and derage mruTiages between Jeffs and a few again he tried to martyr himself, this time via FLDS girls from Canada. He is being investi­ a hungerstrike. gated for violating the Mann Act. His author­ Yet his mostcalamitoustumlay ahead. In itywas challenged by another FLDS member, late March2008 aSanAngelo domestic abuse who claimed to be thetrue president. On July hotline began to receive aseries ofphone calls 1, threeweeks before his trial was scheduled from someone who identified herselfas Sarah tobegin,hishalfbrother, Wallace Jeffs, whom Jessop Barlow, a sixteen -year-old girl who Warren had excommunicated, filed alawsuit claimed shelived onthe YFZ Ranch, had an inUtah claiming thathis teenage daughters eight- month-old baby, andhadsuffered abuse were at a high risk ofbeingentered into un­ atthehandsofherhusband. Days later, Judge derage marriages. Busch Walther signed a search warrantfor Barlow, All of which made it even stranger that ---~JeweQMS and while Jeffs sat in jail, Texas authorities Warren had g)'own so reckless inhis defense. 325-677-9114 launched a high-profile raid on the ranch. One hadto wonder ifhis narcissism had be­ 250 Cypress • Downtown Abilene, Tx The Department ofFamily and Protective come so ingrained thathe believedthe·doors www.buschjewelers1944.com

TEXASMONT"".C O " C9cto6er 2011 1191 ofthe jail would simply swing open and al­ snap photos ofnews correspondents. Neigh­ punishmentphase-the state brought outits lowhim to walk out. bors began stopping by the courthouse to star witness, RebeccaMusser, who bedazzled catch a glimpse ofthe monsterforthemselves. thejurywithher intimate, firsthand account "It'sthe biggest case we'll ever see here," one ofFLDS beliefs. One ofWarren's fonner step­ woman told me. mothers, Musser is a knockout in her mid­ As thetrial date approached, the attorneys' thirties who had been married to Rulon at strategies became clear. Duringpretrialhear­ age nineteen. She walked into the courtroom THE RAMP-UP TO THE TRIAL, THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IN ings, defense attorneys floated the issue ofre­ wearing a red shirt and a tight black skirt, SanAngelo was thatWarren Jeffs may have ligious discrimination. Prosecutors, in turn, spike heels, and perfect makeup, her long relocated his headquarters to Texas, but he directed their attention to the overwhelming blond-streaked hair ironed flat. She smiled wasn't a Texan. He mayhavemovedhundreds evidence. As anyone followingthe story knew, at the jury and introduced herselfwith the ofhis followers to nearby Schleicher County, there were photographs ofunderage moth­ confidence and friendliness ofa cruise ship butthatdidn't make hima local. Thefactthat ers holding new babies, letters from under­ director. Theprosecution had to show several one ofthe mostmanipulative criminal mas­ age wives to their husbands, and letters from old photos ofher in prairie dresses to con­ termindsofthe decadewas scheduled fortrial followers to Jeffs, as well as Jeffs's own bi­ vince the jury she was who she said she was. ontwo sexual assault charges (and a bigamy zarre dictations going back years. A handful (Musser left theFLDS soon after Rulon died, trial setfor the fall) right inthe town's court­ ofJeffs's wives were dedicated scribes who when Warren insisted she marryagain.) house made few waves. When 1 asked a man kept a daily record (known as a "priesthood Inthegent!estofallpossiblevoices, Musser selling electric guitars atthe Tarpley Music record") ofhis utterances, and their job did methodically explained thatitwas necessary Company ifhe was going to follow the Jeffs not end when he fell asleep. They remained for FLDS records offamilies and marriages to trial, 1 had to refresh his memory. "Oh, that perched by his side all night, ready to record be accurate in order to ensure thatsectmem­ guy?" he responded. "Didn't that all happen any mutterings. But the most shocking ev­ berswere allowed access to heaven -akey val­ a longtime ago?" idence was still to come, much ofit filed in idationofthe prosecution's evidence. She also Eventually, ofcourse, it was all anybody the boxes (one ofwhich bore the curious la­ explained how, accordingto FLDS teachings, could talk about.With a media onslaught bel "hard times underwear") stacked in the women can get to heaven only ifthey are mar­ broadcastingthe trial's proceedings on the row ofseats behind the prosecution. ried to a "good priesthood man" for "time and hour, locals became increasingly fascinated Five days into the trial, the real work oftell­ all eternity" and thatsubmitting to one's hus­ by the crimes that had taken place in their ingthe crime narrative began. Withoutdelv­ band is the bestway to please God. And per­ own backyard and the spectacle thatresulted inginto the history ofthe FLDS-adramatic, haps because the two youngvictims at the cen­ Cars slowed near the television trailers to sprawling story thatwould be reserved for the terofthe case never appeared incourt, she put a face on their anonymity by describing their bubbly personalities in vivid detail. IfMusser's testimony built the state's case, Jeffs's written words sealed his fate. Because he dictated detailed accounts ofhis days (in one case, how many pancakes he ate), the content ofthe prosecution's storywas fully provided; the state merely had to read the priesthood records aloud. That task was left, in large part, to one ofthe case inves­ tigators, Texas Ranger Nick Hanna, a man so ruggedly handsome people joked about the swooningwomen he leftin his wake. As the state projected Jeffs's own words on a screen, Hanna read them aloud, slowly, for maximum impact. The tale began in 2003, when Jeffs was looking for property in West Texas. He drove around, waiting for divine inspira­ tion.When the Lord told himto try Sonora, he was stumped. "I scratched my head and said, 'Sonora? Where is Sonora?'" Later, the Lord told him to trythe isolated spotof"EI­ dorado, Eldoraydo, they say it around here." There, Jeffs instructedhis members to qui­ etly settle theYFZ Ranch. "For now, stay out ofsight, ladies," he warned. As the story unfolded, and Hanna began to recite the passages directly relating to the fifteen-year-old victim ofthe alleged sexual assault, Jeffs grew agitated and made full­

192 <9cto6er 2011 rE x'ASMONT"',"- CO " -- '------­ throated objections, all ofwhich Walther ready and come to his room.'" showed various documents and photographs overruled. Those in the gallerylearned why The evidence didn'tend there.After provid­ relatingto the marriage with thetwelve-year­ Jeffs was so anxious when Hanna began to ing references to thefifteen-year-oldgiving old, displayed photographs ofher looking read aloud the scribe's account ofthe sexual Jeffs "comfort" onotheroccasions, the state youngand cute, andthen, in a very dramatic encountersthatoccurredinthe middleofthe introduced an audiotape. Jeffs continually moment, brought out another damning re­ night ofSeptember 17, 2004. objected, and was ignored, as an hour-long cording. Jeffs objected throughout as the ten­ "I could see a brilliant glow around your recording was played on which he is heard sion in the room grew palpable. "This is not face," the scribe wrote, addressing Jeffs in instructing a dozen ofhis wives-including a matter ofinterpretation!" Nichols finally the second person. "You were ina session." the fifteen-year-old-to have group sex with said. raising his voice. "This is a tape involv­ "I object!" Jeffs repeated, rising from his him. "This is the first time I was able to have ing - may I finish, Mr. Jeffs? - this is a record­ chair, though he had already been repeat­ aquorum oftwelve ladies," he saidonthe re­ ing ofa sexual assault of[atwelve-year-old] edlyoverruled. cording. He asked themto undress and wear by Warren Steed Jeffs!" As Hanna continued, the nature ofthe special white robes, then instructed them Thejurymembers puton their earphones, events became clearer. "And then you said on how to masturbate and assist each other and their already sour looks turned dark as [to one ofthe young girls], 'Give me a hug.' in pleasing him during their next gathering. the recording played. Some in the courtroom, You had us turn outthe light-" "Keep this secret," he told them. The state pro­ hearing itby speaker, began to cry when the "Great God ofheaven doing this work, de­ vided photographs ofa white robe from the young girl replied to Jeffs's questions in a rided before anopen court.Ageneration -the YFZ Ranch with the fifteen-year-old's name meek, high voice. Others concentrated, lis­ justice ofGod shall be fulfilled upon agener­ on it, priesthood records in which Jeffs relates tening for the moment when Jeffs called the ation," Jeffs said. being told that the girl was pregnant, photos girl by her full name. After the recording con­ "I went to the closet light to turn it off," ofthe very young-looking fifteen-year-old cluded, the state rested its case. All eyes grav­ Hanna read. and a newborn, anda DNA expert who testi­ itated to the defendant, sitting motionless Jeffs continued objecting louder, and N ich­ tiedthatJeffs andthe girl were theparents. A at his table. ols took over the reading ofthe passage, his more convincing argument would have been face turningredwith anger. "She got offyou , hard to come by. and you told her to give you ahug." Withthe sexual assault case neatly tied up, "This saith the Lord, 'Cease!'" said Jeffs. Nichols addressed the aggravated sexual as­ ''1 felt the heavenly power," Nichols contin­ sault charge involving the twelve-year-old. ued. "You told me to have [the fifteen-year­ Since the foundation for the case had been THOUGHT JEFFS WOULD ACTUALLY PUT ON ADEFENSE. HE old] be ready. I said to her, 'Warren says be laid, the presentation didn't take long. Nichols hadn'tcross-examined any ofthe state's wit­ nesses and he didn't seem to understand basic courtroom protocols andprocedures:howto raise anobjection, for example, or how to pres­ entamotion. "This is notas easy as itappears on TV;" Judge Walther had warned him. Clearly, she'd made no impression. "In his­ tory, recorded on earth," Jeffs began. One ju­ ror stretched, another looked at her nails, another took offher glasses and rubbed her eyes. Forthirty minutes, Jeffs gave the jury a lesson in his religious beliefs. By this time, everyone in the courtroom was aware ofhis penchant for the soliloquy. The real surprise came when he called his first witness, J. D. Roundy, to the stand. The reporters recognized Roundy as the large, sweet-mannered FLDS manwiththe comb­ over who had been sittingwith impeccable posture on a hard bench in the hallway for muchofthe proceedings. (He wasn't the only FLDS member in the courthouse. A small group offaithfulFLDS men, including Jeffs's brother Lyle, satinthe courtroom occasion­ ally-though, notably, notduring anypresen­ tations ofJeffs's misdeeds.) As it turned out, Jeffs was a quick study. fully capable ofquestioning a witness, though any possibility that Roundy would help his MINDENfASCHIN6'(OM cause was 1.U1derminedby Jeffs's behavior.Af­ ter gatheringafewreligious texts and entering MINDGN. LOUISIANA them as evidence, Jeffs confronted his loyal

194 I <.9cto6er 2011 T""MON T HLY.CO M 1­ follower with what amounted to a Sunday women come into his room anddisrobe? Had "What's going on?" and nudged him, pointing school quiz. "What are the two highest laws?" he ever asked a group ofwomen to come to to my question. He shrugged. Tension faded Jeffs asked. RoW1dy blinked as innocently as a himandlay prostrate on the floor before him? to boredom, and within fifteen minutes the choirboy, with his head cocked slightly to the Or had sex with afifteen-year~old? A twelve­ poker-facedjury began to stare into space. left, and responded earnestly, "Holy celestial year-old? Roundy, looking scared and a little Lyle fell asleep. With only five ofhis thirty marriage and holy united order." stunned, replied "no" to all the questions. minutes remaining, Jeffs finally raised his '~eyouhappyin this religion?" Jeffs asked. RoW1dy, it turned out, was all Jeffshadinhis head, smiled slightly, looked eachjuror inthe "Yes, sir," Roundy replied. pocket. After Walther asked himifhewished eye, and whispered, "I am at peace." The interrogation persisted for hours, to call any more witnesses, she allowed him with Roundy playing the eager student. one more very long pause before announc­ WhenJeffs would interrupt-"The question ing, "Let the record reflect it has been three was ... " - Roundy would turn red and become minutes since the court has instructedthe flustered. Bullying, thejurylearned firsthand, defendant repeatedly to produce a witness. was Jeffs's strength. Ashe continued, some of Sincethereare no more witnesses, thecourt THE NEARLY FOUR HOURS THAT THE JURY TOOKTO DELIBERATE, the questions putRoundyindanger ofincrim­ assumes you rest." the people in the courtroom grew increas­ inating himselfby way ofbigamystatutes, Nichols's closing argument was as dis­ ingly nervous. Texas attorney general Greg and though thejudgewarnedRoundytothink passionate and cerebral as his opening ar­ Abbott, who had arrived incourtthatmorn­ carefully before answering, he obeyed his gument had been. Using prepared notes in ing to support his team, conferredwith the leader. Jeffs began to repeat questions about a three-ring binder to help himstayontrack prosecution as theypacedaroundthe room. religious persecution and dramatically inject through his thirty minutes ofallotted time, A woman who'd attended the Casey Anthony his interrogation with long silences. "This he reminded thejuryabouttheevidencethey trialinFloridashowed up wearing a bright­ is his filibuster," one reportertold me. had seen and heard-documents, DNA evi­ colored caftan and a fake flower in her hair Whenit became clear thatJeffs had rW10ut dence, audio recordings-andhe repeated the and sailed pastthe rows, cheerfully offering ofgas, Judge Walther took onefinallongpause state's penal codes regarding sexual assault. Altoids. Retirees introduced themselves to from him as an opportunity to pass the wit­ He endedwith a genteel "thankyou." everyone in proximity andbrought the newer ness to the prosecution. Nichols's questions Jeffs stood up to present his response. The attendants up to speed. A few people in the were few. Was Roundy at the YFZ Ranch in jurywaited. And waited. Standing behind the room had published books about the FLDS; 2004 and 2006, when the sexual assaults in defense table with his hands folded before others were taking careful notes for future question occurred? Had RoW1dyever used his him, he looked at the floor. Since Lyle Jeffs manuscripts. Reporters surroundedformer religious principles to justifY having a group of was sitting next to me, I wrote on my pad, FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop, andsomeof them, after hearinghis shocked, disgusted, andmildly contrite statements, walked away rollingtheir eyes. WHOOP! When the jury returned, the judge asked Jeffs to rise, then read the verdict: guilty on bothcounts. Many ofthe people in the room hadbeen waiting for this momentfor years, yet anyone looking for catharsis would have beendisappointed. Therewere no cheers or criesofprotest, no high fives ortearful hugs. JudgeWaltherhadwarnedeveryone to stay quiet, and amazingly, everyone obeyed. Even 4704-A Richmond Ave. olid Sterling Silver $520.00 Jeffs, who hadbeen so voluble the day before, Houston, TX 77027 MAX LANG Toll Free: 800-776-2629 barely responded. "He didn't even clench his 713-960-8845 HAND WROUGHT BELrS & BUCKLES www.maxlang.com teeth," the woman next to me whispered. But the drama was hardly over. Thepunish­ mentphase ofthetrial immediately followed theverdict, andTexas law allows the stateto pull out all the stops. For Jeffs, this was very bad indeed. Inaddition to the two proven as­ saults,the prosecution was now setto intro­ duce his other crimes and misconduct, in­ cludinghis 78 illegal marriages (24 ofwhich involved children underthe age of17), the 67 marriages he'd arranged between other men andunderage girls, 500 bigamous marriages he'd facilitated, 6 instances of"illegal sexual conduct," the expulsion ofnumerous young men, the dismantling ofroughly 300 fami­ lies, and time spent as a fugitive. Noone reallyblamedJeffs for wanting to

196 I <9cto6er 2011 TE X ASMONTHCLGOM ------_._---.------­ PROMOTION leave the courtroom and allow Deric Walpole to the gallery before the judge asked Jeffs to take over. After Jeffs departed and Nichols to stand. Walther read the decision: life in delivered anothercalm and collected intro­ prison, Again, everyone abided by Walther's duction, Walpole-wearing a new suitthat orders to maintain decorum, but after Jeffs, newnext... some FLDS women had tailored to his di­ smilingcalrnly, was escorted out ofthecourt­ mensions-stepped up. "Now I get a chance room, the gallery began to buzz with talk to do my job," he told the jury. He then ex­ Outside, inthe 100-degree heat, dozens of plainedthat Jeffs sawWalpole's role in bib­ people huddled around the exit as Jeffs was licalterms."As Peter inthe GardenofGeth­ taken out in shackles, "Warren, where are semane defended Jesus Christ," he said, so your followers?" one manyelled. "Areyou still was he attempting to defend a persecuted re­ the prophet?" Another attendee suggested ligious figure. (I heard someone gasp when that j ailhouse retribution was in Jeffs's fu­ he made this comparison, then realized it ture: "Bubba's waiting!" was me.) The cruxofhis argumentwas that The broadcastreporters stood by for the Jeffs was a productofhis environment. "He various players to make their statements. can't escape it," Walpole said. Locals felt for WillieJessop took his turn, with a few local the defense attorney, even iftheydidn't hold ladies jumping into ask their own questions. any sympathy for the defendant. "He's doing Walpole approached the clusterofcameras I his job," one woman told me with a shrug. andwas asked whathe would have done dif­ "He's done as well as he could." Still, some ferently inthe first phase ofthetrial, "Lots!" observers raised their eyebrows at this de­ hesaid. "I would have done lots." The prose­ piction ofJeffs as a loyal sheep. cutionteam,alongwith several Texas Rang­ When Walpole was done, the prosecu­ ers and witnesses, followed with ajointpress tionbrought forth a numberofformer FLDS interview. "Justice has arrived for Warren members, who testified that Jeffs's prac­ Steed Jeffs," Nichols said, "who we expect tices, in fact, differed significantly from his to live the rest ofhis life in prison," (This I father's methods. After taking power from prediction nearly took on a different reso­ I Rulon, Jeffs had clamped down on the FLDS nance a few weeks later,when Jeffswenton and further isolated it from the world. He'd another hunger strike and suffered serious bannedmovies, music, social events, televi­ health issues, At press time, authorities ex­ sion' and Internet usage. He'd manipulated pected himto survive.) » PARTY FOR A CAUSE members, kicked out boys for small infrac­ Whentheteam began walking back toward Join business and civic leaders tions such as receiving love letters, and ex­ the courthouse, a reporter asked BrentJeffs ) at the Yellow and Black Tie Gala iled men and women for disobeying his or­ ifhe had any comment. At first he seemed event benefiting the Methodist Richardson Ca ncer Center. Enjoy ders. Jeffs's nephew Brent took thestandand hesitant, then he stopped and turned to the a cocktail reception, dinner, said that Jeffs had raped him when he was cameras. "I can now stand tenfeettall andsay, entertainment, and live and si lent five years old. A woman who could barely say 'You arewhere you belong,''' he said. One re­ auctions. Saturday, October 29 at his namewithoutsobbing testified thatJeffs porter asked ifhe hadamessage forthose still the Renaissance Dallas Richard­ had molestedherwhen she was seven years in the FLDS, reminding everyone, as ifany­ son Hotel. yellowandblackti.egala.com ar972-498-7678 old. Audio recordings played in court revealed one needed reminding, thatJeffs's thousands more orgies with teenage girls. ofloyal followers don't read the news, watch Intheend,thejurylearned, the abuse ofthe TV; orsurfthe Internet. They hearonlywhat fifteen-year-old and the twelve-year-old were Jeffs allows themto hear, and likely have no » BEAUTY MAKEOVER justa tiny fraction ofJeffs's crimes. In addi­ ideawhatcame outinthe trial, "Look around Enjoy giveaways tion to the very young children he sexually you," he advised his uncle's followers. "Look and makeovers assaulted, Jeffs took as brides 4 twelve-year­ at what has been created." EST£E LAUDER at the newly olds, 3 thirteen-year-olds, 4 fourteen-year­ An hour later, the cameras were gone, the remodeled Pa lais Royal olds, 1 fifteen-year-old, and 12 sixteen- and trial-watchers had said goodbye to each other, store in Meyer­ seventeen-year-olds. "There is a girl ... the and the courthouse lawn had emptied. As I land Plaza in Lord wants me to take," the priesthood record walked to my car, one reporter said, "Well, Houston, Octo­ from January 2004 stated. "She is thirteen. my friend, I think we were both ringside for Idealist ber 12-15. Plus, Oh, I justwanttheLord's will. ... Iftheworld a piece ofAmerican history." don't miss the new state-of­ knewwhat I was doingtheywould hang me Driving out oftown, on the way to Eldorado, the-art Estee from the highest tree." I passed a church sign that read: Lau der and Thankyou Clinique Barbara Walther departments. palais-raya.l.com God Bless You ar 713-660-0907 Prayforrain .....

JURY DID NOTTAKE LONG TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT. AS THEY TEXASMONTHLY,COM took their seats, one juror actually nodded Read more about Warren Jeffs.

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