San Angelo, Texas, U.S.A. - Convicted polygamist sect leader, Warren Jeffs, 55, is the ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), which believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. More than 10,000 followers consider him God's spokesman on Earth.
However, last Saturday, in Tom Green County Courthouse San Angelo, Texas, several former followers testified against him, recounting how the man they once revered as a prophet banned parades, Sports Illustrated magazine and even the color red upon rising to power.
The second day of Jeffs' sentencing hearing later ended with a woman, now 28, tearfully alleging that Jeffs also sexually abused her as a young girl.- Charges were never filed in that alleged incident. Three jurors cried during the woman's testimony, and state District Judge Barbara Walthers adjourned court until today.
The same jury convicted Jeffs on Thursday on charges of sexually assaulting two underage girls he had taken as brides in Texas. He faces up to life in prison, and jurors are likely to decide his punishment early next week.
For the second straight day, Jeffs wasn't in court. He walked out in protest Friday and has continued boycotting the proceedings, choosing instead to remain in another room of the courthouse.
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