Warren Jeffs in Court

By Gary Tuchman - CNN WFMZ-TV News 69 - Allentown, Pennsylvania

For a man who calls himself a "prophet of god," Warren Jeffs looked just like an average guy in court. The polygamist leader turned fugitive turned prisoner appeared before a Utah judge yesterday. Gary Tuchman has more on his hearing. WARREN JEFFS WAS USHERED INTO COURT UNDER THE GRAINY EYE OF A COURT OPERATED CLOSED CIRCUIT CAMERA. THE NEWS MEDIA'S STILL CAMERA WAS CLEARER AND SHOWS THE FORMER FUGITIVE SURROUNDED BY ELABORATE SECURITY, THE JUDGE INFORMED THE LEADER OF THE FUNDAMENTALIST LATTER DAY SAINTS CHURCH THAT THE STATE WILL HAVE TO PROVE THAT IT HAS PROBABLE CAUSE TO CONTINUE HOLDING HIM. HE ASKED JEFFS IF HE UNDERSTOOD. Yes. All right, thank you sir. JEFFS IS NOT CHARGED WITH BEING A POLYGAMIST LEADER. HE IS CHARGED WITH ARRANGING MARRIAGES TO GIRLS WHO WERE STILL LEGALLY CHILDREN, PART OF WHAT AUTHORITIES SAY WERE YEARS OF MANIPULATING AND EXPLOITING GIRLS IN THE NAME OF GOD. AND ONE OF THOSE GIRLS, WHO'S BEING CALLED JANE DOE, IS SCHEDULED TO TESTIFY AT THAT PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING. The victim is doing well. She is looking forward to testifying and looking forward to having her day in court to address her victimization and what was done to her. JEFFS ARRIVED AT THE COURTHOUSE FROM THE JAIL IN A MOTORCADE. SWAT TEAM MEMBERS STOOD ON NEARBY CLIFFTOPS IN CASE JEFF'S FOLLOWERS SHOWED UP. ONLY TWO DID THOUGH, INCLUDING NEPHI JEFFS, ONE OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED PROPHET'S BROTHERS WHO SAT QUIETLY DURING THE HEARING. AFTER THE HEARING, THE FIRST HINT FROM JEFF'S LAWYERS OF DEFENSE STRATEGY. Does your client view this as a religious persecution? Absolutely. IT'S A VIEWPOINT SHARED BY MANY OF JEFF'S FOLLOWERS INCLUDING 21 YEAR OLD PARLEY. (Gary) Tell me what you think of the man? (Follower) I really honor him, look up to him, I stand and uphold him 101 percent. LIKE MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE TWIN TOWNS OF HILLDALE, UTAH, AND COLORADO CITY ARIZONA, PARLEY REGARDS JEFFS AS A MAN WHO HEARS DIRECTLY FROM GODA MAN WHOSE WORD IS INFALLIBLE. (Gary) What about the allegations he has arranged marriages for young girls? That's not right, is it? (Follower) Like I say, I uphold him. What he's doing is what's right. (Gary) Even marriages to young girls? (Follower) That's right oh yeah. If its what he's inspired to do, I know its right. ITS NOT KNOWN IF JEFF'S LAWYERS WILL ADMIT THEIR CLIENT ARRANGED SUCH MARRIAGES. WHICH - AUTHORITIES SAY - LED TO WIDESPREAD SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH CHILDREN. BUT THEY DO SAY we're going to confront the witnesses against us and there will be spirited cross examination. JEFFS CONTINUES TO BE HELD IN JAIL WITHOUT BOND. A REQUEST FOR BOND MAY BE MADE AT THE SAME HEARING WHERE WE CAN EXPECT TO HEAR THAT SPIRITED CROSS EXAMINATION. GARY TUCHMAN, CNN, ST. GEORGE, UTAH.

wfmz.com Originally broadcast September 28, 2006

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