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SAN ANGELO, Texas -- Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, both sides rested in the sentencing hearing for former polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs -- but not before Texas prosecutors provided more shocking testimony.
It includes evidence that Jeffs clearly knew his sex acts with children were illegal and would be condemned by society.
According to reporters that were in court, another audiotape played during Monday's proceedings involving sex with children was so graphic that jurors squirmed and wiped away tears. Even former Jeffs lieutenant Willie Jessop reportedly shook his head and covered his eyes.
If they wanted to not be rejected by God, then the new laws (Jeffs) was introducing was requiring them to participate in these sessions.
–FBI testimony
Jeffs continues to boycott the convicting Jeffs sentencing hearing, saying it's an attack on his religion. But his critics are calling him a coward who doesn't want to face accusers or listen to the graphic evidence.
According to documents read in court, Jeffs referred to his group-sex encounters as "Heavenly Sessions." He claimed God wanted him to take young brides because they "can be worked with and easily taught." In having sex with him, they would atone for sins in the community, Jeffs said..
The latest audiotape played to the jury captures Jeffs instructing five girls under age 16 to please him sexually.
FBI agent John Broadway testified that FLDS fathers gave their daughters to Jeffs so they'd be rewarded with young brides of their own. Girls who didn't go along were sent away, according to Jeffs' journals.
"If they wanted to not be rejected by God, then the new laws (Jeffs) was introducing was requiring them to participate in these sessions," Broadway said.
Jeffs' journal also shows he understood how society and the law would judge him. "If the world knew what I was doing," Jeffs wrote, "they would hang me from the highest tree."
In 2008, when Texas Rangers invaded the YFZ ranch, Jeffs provided written instruction for the top FLDS man at the scene.
Quoted from today's court testimony by the San Angelo Standard Times, Jeffs wrote, "He is to tell the government officials we are peaceful." But if they tried to enter the temple, "Our men must fight to the death."
It was in the Temple Annex building that Texas Rangers found a mother-lode of evidence, including millions of pages of incriminating documents. They were used by the prosecution to show a pattern of behavior that put countless young girls at risk.
Jeffs' side called no witnesses in the sentencing hearing.
The jury decided to recess overnight and will return to hear closing arguments for the sentencing hearing Tuesday morning.
Email: hollenhorst@ksl.com
