Attorneys ask judge to seal case involving Jeffs daughter
 
By Paul A. Anthony
San Angelo Standard-Times
 
Attorneys for leaders of the polygamous sect with a home in Schleicher County have asked a Tom Green County judge to seal entirely the recently dismissed case of the 17-year-old daughter of sect leader Warren Jeffs.

In a joint motion filed Monday, attorneys for YFZ Ranch head Merril Jessop, sect spokesman Willie Jessop and the girl's mother, Annette Jeffs, asked 51st District Judge Barbara Walther to seal the case and forbid other attorneys from disclosing any evidence concerning the case in their possession.

"The harm from publicly releasing these depositions, their exhibits and other fruits of discovery is obvious," the motion states. "What seems to have been lost is that this was a case involving a determination of what was in the best interest of the children."

Efforts to seal transcripts of depositions given in the case by both Jessops were dismissed with the rest of the case on Feb. 6 after the state's Child Protective Services agency nonsuited the girl, who the agency had alleged was married at age 15 to one of Merril Jessop's adult sons.

Since then, the court released copies of the depositions, as well as the numerous pages of exhibits attached to them.

Nevertheless, the motion argues, the case should be sealed to prevent further dissemination that could harm Merril Jessop's criminal case, harm the girl further or embarrass Willie Jessop.

"There may be other photographs, documents or other tangible items in the possession of" CPS and attorneys involved in the case, the motion states, "which could be disseminated in the future."

A hearing date on the motion has not been set, said court administrator Vicki Vines.

"I'm not sure there's going to be one," she said, depending on whether Walther determines she can legally hold a hearing to seal a case that has been dismissed.

The attorneys filing the motion - Amy Hennington of San Angelo, representing Merril Jessop; Kent Schaffer of Houston, representing Willie Jessop; and Mindy Montford of Austin, representing Annette Jeffs - were not immediately available for comment.
 
gosanangelo.com
Originally published Thursday, March 26, 2009
 
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