By Brent Hunsaker
ABC 4 [Utah]
March 29, 2007
http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=a74983ab-d5d3-40af-9595-0d90c35e0e4d
Since his father Rulon Jeffs died in September 2002, Warren Jeffs has been the prophet of the FLDS polygamist group. Under that mantle, Jeffs has allegedly separated husbands from children and wives, kicked rivals to his rule out of the community and directed the building of a new compound and a temple near El Dorado, Texas.
People familiar with the FLDS leader says his reign has been one of the most tumultuous of any previous leader. But now Jeffs has reportedly denied having authority to do any of that.
The Deseret News reports that in a jailhouse conversation with his brother, Nephi Jeffs, Warren Jeffs confessed that God did not speak to him and that he is "the greatest sinner".
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The newspaper says there's a recording of that conversation in the hands of the Washington County attorney, but it has not been made public. Neither the county attorney nor sheriff will even confirm its existence.
However, if it does exist and Warren Jeffs did confess – if only to his brother – then far from solving his legal problems, it may multiply them. It could expose him to additional criminal charges as well as civil lawsuits.
Veteran criminal defense lawyer Alan Boyack of St. George points out that any confession would not necessarily make a prosecutor's case a "slam dunk". A judge could rule the conversation as "privileged" and therefore inadmissible.
He also says it could make it more difficult – but not impossible – for defense attorneys to use religious grounds to shield evidence seized from Jeffs' Escalade.
As for lawsuits, he said fraud could be the basis for several suits by people who were kicked out of the community for being "unfaithful". But he adds they might just end up trying to take from a well "that has run dry."
He predicts if the confession is spread and believed by the FLDS, the flow of "tithing" money to Jeffs will stop.
Anyone who prevails in a suit might have a hard time collecting the judgment.
Contact: brent@abc4.com
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