Jeffs Back in Court Jailed FLDS Leader Makes Appearance Via Closed-Circuit Television, by Patrice St. Germain, The Spectrum, September 12, 2006

Jeffs Back in Court
Jailed FLDS Leader Makes Appearance Via Closed-Circuit Television

By Patrice St. Germain patrices@thespectrum.com
The Spectrum
September 12, 2006

http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS01/609120310/1002

ST. GEORGE - A brief status conference was held Monday morning in 5th District Court for Warren Steed Jeffs, 50, with Jeffs again appearing via closed-circuit television.

The jailed leader of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, charged with allegedly arranging a marriage between an underage girl and older man, will be defended in Utah by Salt Lake City attorneys Tara L. Isaacson and Walter F. Bugden Jr.

Now that Jeffs has legal counsel, Judge James L. Shumate set another status conference set for Sept. 27.

Shumate said he spoke with Jeffs' attorneys 15 minutes before Monday's hearing.

Warren Jeffs appears in Fifth District Court from jail via closed circuit television as Judge James L. Shumate presides over the hearing Monday in St. George. Jeffs is the self-proclaimed prophet of a polygamous sect.
Photo by Jud Burkett / The Spectrum

The attorneys, with the Salt Lake City law firm of Bugden & Isaacson, were not in court on Monday. However, the two met with Jeffs and Las Vegas attorney Richard A. Wright Friday afternoon.

Jeffs, appearing drawn, tired and sporting a light beard and mustache, acknowledged Monday that he was waiving his preliminary hearing, which by law is to be held within 10 days of his arrest.

Shumate said Jeffs' next appearance will be in the courtroom and not by video.

Security remained high on Monday although the media presence was much lighter than last week when Jeffs made his initial appearance, which was also by closed circuit television.

Six bailiffs and a SWAT team member were in the courtroom. Numerous SWAT team members were present in the courthouse as well as outside.

Following the brief court appearance, Washington County Deputy Attorney Brian Filter said he isn't sure when the preliminary or bail hearings will be held, but said at least the preliminary hearing will be after Sept. 27.

Filter indicated that the state is ready to proceed with its case.

During a brief press conference with Filter outside the courthouse, a red and white helicopter hovered nearby.

Deputy Chief Rob Tersigni with the Washington County Sheriff's Office said the privately owned helicopter held the pilot and a deputy.

Tersigni said the helicopter was used to survey the courthouse in terms of transportation and security.

Telephone calls to Bugden and Isaacson were not returned Monday. However, the firm's Web site lists some of the high-profile cases the attorneys have defended, including Dr. Robert Weitzel, who was accused by the state of criminally causing the death of patients in his care.

In November 2002, following a three-week trial, Weitzel was acquitted of all charges.

Bugden's jury trial history from 1994 to present lists 58 cases with only seven guilty verdicts. The cases have ranged from manslaughter, aggravated sex abuse of a child, enticement of a minor over the Internet, aggravated sex abuse and negligent homicide.

Jeffs is facing two first-degree felony charges of rape as an accomplice for his role in arranging a marriage between an older man and an underage girl. Both charges carry a penalty of five years to life.

Jeffs is also facing several charges of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in Mohave County.

Jeffs was on the FBI Top 10 Most Wanted list since May.

His flight to avoid prosecution ended quietly and peacefully on Interstate 15 just north of Las Vegas on Aug. 28 after the vehicle he was in was pulled over on a traffic stop despite claims by Jeffs that he would never be taken alive.

Although the number of Jeffs' followers is estimated to be between 6,000 and 10,000, most of the members live in the twin cities of Hildale and Colorado City, which was previously called Short Creek.

The area has been home to the polygamist FLDS church since the early 1900s. In recent years, the church has expanded its property holdings, purchasing compounds in Eldorado, Texas, Mancos, Colo., Pringle, S.D. and British Columbia, Canada.