This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
My story so far today on another interesting day in San Angelo
Here are a few more brief notes on Warren Jeffs' speech/sermon to the court, sparked when the state tried to introduce a list/record of members of his family. He was silent up until that point. In contrast with yesterday, he was very animated, gesticulating with his hands, standing up straight and speaking directly to the jury. Still speaking in litling tones, but no long pauses today. His sentances still rambled and occasionally went in an illogical direction.
He talked for almost an hour, touching on the history of polygamy as a religious principle first preached by LDS Church founder Joseph Smith (the mainstream LDS Chuch disavowed polygamy more than 100 years ago). Jeffs said said he was a 5th generation polygamist, that he was following "God's law." He also talked about the raid, saying that the FLDS people had been separated from their children, and the kids were having nightmares. He said the FLDS people are a peaceful, moral people who do not abuse their children, and educate and groom them well. By the way, he did not talk about underage marriage direclty at all, or claim any special permission from God to take young girls as plural wives. Some quotes: "You are now touching on that which is sacred," He called the FLDS "a religious society only wants only to live peacefully ... to please their God," Polygamy "came only from God and not from legislative or governmental powers" and "This religious requirement is a pure, natural way of life."About the trial: "I say to you, let it cease." (Said this several times in different ways, like "This [trial] must cease if there is to be justice""Though you do not believe in our religious faith, you believe in giving proper freedoms to all religions who are peaceful," "I say to you this is a court of injustice ways, not of justice ..." "I say to you the government is stepping beyond these bounds," If law enforcement/prosecutors "trample upon scared things of an innocent people and parade it in public, you will do more harm than you can perceive" "The mockery must cease, that which is sacred to us must be kept sacred" The FLDS people "are not lawbreakers," apart from polygamy "This must cease if true justice is to be served," Jeffs interrupts Eric Nichols as the prosecutor gets up to talk about the 1890 Supreme Court decision that ruled out religious freedom as an argument for legal polygamy. Nichols continues to speak, but soon Jeffs interrupts again and again, talking about religious freedom and rights being trample. Walther:"If you represent yourself you have to follow the rules of the court, and that includes not simply interrupting people because you have something to say"
Jeffs eventually ignores Judge Barbara Walthers admonitions.
She calls a recess.
*please forgive any typos! Going fast :)