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John Hollenhorst ReportingPolygamist leader Warren Jeffs will make his first in-person appearance in a Utah courtroom tomorrow on charges of child rape, stemming from a marriage he performed. Tomorrow's hearing is a routine scheduling conference, but security will be anything but routine.
We can expect to see dozens of police and deputies there tomorrow. They're not expecting trouble, they're just trying to be ready for the unexpected.
Jeffs has appeared in this court already, but only on closed-circuit television from Washington County's Purgatory jail. He also appeared in a Nevada court in-person right after his capture The hearing tomorrow will be brief. It's only to set a schedule for a preliminary hearing and perhaps some motion hearings as well.
This will be our first chance to see Jeffs' lawyers in action. He's now represented by two Salt Lake attorneys and one from Las Vegas. Security for Jeffs has been extraordinary at every court proceeding.
Sgt. Craig Harding, St. George Police: "Warren Jeffs is kind of a meek, mild guy, and we're not here for him. We don't know who's here as a detractor and who's here as a supporter that might do something out of the ordinary. That's the concern is the unknown factor."
Jeffs' lawyers have already won a small victory. The judge approved a defense motion that allows Jeffs to appear tomorrow in civilian clothes. That means he won't be seen in jail clothes, a sight his lawyers believe could be prejudicial.
