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Jed Boal ReportingWhile the Kingston polygamous clan faces a custody battle in juvenile court, other allegations of intimidation come from a former wife who was raised in the order. The woman feared she would be thrown out of her house today, but she'll fight in court to keep the home.
Elaine Jenkins does not own the Salt Lake property, but insists it is hers.
Elaine Jenkins: "They made us believe it was our property."
Jenkins was born and raised in the polygamous Kingston clan. She says her late husband paid for the home with his labor, so she's going to court to fight for the title.
Elaine Jenkins: "There's a lot of people being hurt by this group."
Last week she got an eviction notice from the title holder. Court papers show a Kingston-controlled company held the title for years. Last week it was deeded to Alan Jenkins, Elaine's brother-in-law.
She's filed to let the court decide who owns the property. In the Kingston Group, Elaine Jenkins says, all property went to the cooperative.
Elaine Jenkins: "They coerce everyone by telling them they'll go to hell if they don't do this and they make your life miserable if you don't do it."
She says members worked for cooperative-owned businesses. They received credits that were used to obtain food, clothing and property. Until seven years ago, Elaine Jenkins says she went along with the system.
Elaine Jenkins: "You just cave in because you're under so much pressure."
Her attorney says records prove Elaine Jenkins owns the house. He says the ledger shows the $50,000 home debited to Elaine and Sam Jenkins based on credits earned.
Russell Cline, Elaine Jenkins' Lawyer: "The Jenkins are the ones who purchased it. They paid for it through their labor that they've done through the Kingston companies, so they should be recognized as the true owner."
Elaine Jenkings says Kingston group members threatened to throw them out of their house if they weren't gone today.
Russell Cline, Elaine Jenkins' Lawyer: "Law enforcement has been contacted and has indicated they will enforce her right to stay in the house until a judge decides who owns the house."
Speaking on behalf of the Kingstons, Alan Jenkins says she should not and will not get title to that house. He says, "she never paid taxes or rent...trashed the place...and he's received notices from the city that the house is not in compliance."
He wants Elaine Jenkins out so he can fix up the place. The City Housing and Zoning Authority says it has been out to the property numerous times, but Elaine Jenkins is making progress cleaning up the place, and still struggling to get out of the group.
Elaine Jenkins: "They controlled everything that I did."
She sees this as the final step.
