| With 'prophet' in prison, child bride can heal | |||||
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The Associated Press CNN | |||||
ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- To Elissa Wall, seeing polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs sentenced to prison was worth more than the restitution to which she's entitled. It was Wall who testified in September that Jeffs' influence as a church leader trapped her at age 14 in an unwanted marriage in which she was forced into sex against her will. Dabbing at a tear, Wall told state Judge James L. Shumate on Tuesday that seeing Jeffs brought to justice would help her with the healing process more than $5,000 in restitution payments. "My restitution is knowing that I spoke the truth and that you and the justice system have done your job," she told Shumate. Shumate then sentenced Jeffs to two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison for his role in the 2001 spiritual marriage between Wall and her 19-year-old cousin. Now 21, Wall testified against the head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in September. A jury convicted Jeffs, 51, of two first-degree felony counts of rape as an accomplice. Although she declined the restitution, which Utah law provides for, she has received more than $16,000 from a state fund and has sued the trust that oversees the FLDS church assets for more than $1 million in cash and property. Washington County prosecutors said Jeffs used his authority as a church leader to entice Wall into the marriage, telling her that the relationship was commanded by God and that any refusal would place her salvation at risk. Jurors said Wall's age was a major factor in their decision. Under Utah law, a 14-year-old can consent to sex in some circumstances. But it is not considered consensual if a person younger than 18 is enticed by someone at least three years older. On the witness stand, Wall said Jeffs failed to help her when she protested the marriage and when she asked for a divorce because she was uncomfortable with Allen Steed's sexual advances. Steed, 26, told jurors a different version, saying Wall initiated sex and denying that she cried through their ceremony in a Nevada motel. Ultimately, the Utah parole board will decide how much time Jeffs serves. The board will review the case in 2010. Jeffs' attorney, Wally Bugden, had asked the judge for concurrent sentences but lost the argument. "This was all about religion," Bugden said outside court, portraying Jeffs as a victim. "The foundation of this case was the prosecution of Mr. Jeffs because of placement marriage." Encouraging the relationship and counseling the couple to stay together through difficult times "does not constitute accomplice to rape," Bugden said. "It's just an unjust result and doesn't add up." Prosecutor Ryan Shaum urged the judge to send a message to all religious leaders that they can't hide behind their position and say, "Hey, I'm just doing my job." Jeffs is an unlikely candidate for rehabilitation, Shaum said, noting his lack of remorse and his claims that he was unfairly prosecuted. "Mr. Jeffs has not admitted to any wrongdoing," Shaum said. "There appears to be no comprehension that his conduct toward Ms. Wall resulted in her rape." Advocates both for and against polygamy lauded the sentence. "I think it's a good day for children," said Flora Jessop, a former FLDS member from Phoenix who works as a child advocate. "We're very glad he's going to prison," said Mark Henkel, founder of the polygamy-advocacy group TruthBearer.org. "The case was about arranged marriage, underaged marriage and incest. He's going to prison for crimes we all oppose." Jeffs will now stand trial on similar criminal charges in Arizona and is under indictment in federal court in Salt Lake City for his time as a fugitive. He was arrested outside Las Vegas in August 2006 and at the time was one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted fugitives. The Associated Press does not typically name those who allege sexual abuse, but Wall has made public statements about the case using her maiden name. Citing safety concerns, both she and her attorneys have declined to disclose her current legal name. Wall was granted an FLDS divorce by Jeffs after she became pregnant with another man's child. She left the faith and is now married. Steed was charged with rape the day after Jeffs' conviction. His case is pending. Most FLDS members live in the twin communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, about 350 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. Although it wasn't a factor in this case, the FLDS hold polygamy as a central tenet of their faith, believing the practice brings glorification in heaven. The mainstream Mormon church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, renounced polygamy more than a century ago, excommunicates members who engage in the practice and disavows any connection with the FLDS church. | |||||
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CNN.com Originally published November 21, 2007 | |||||
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