Thursday 4 August 2011

US Sect Leader Convicted Of Abusing Girls


US polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs has been found guilty of sexually abusing two girls, aged 12 and 14, who were his brides.
A jury in Texas convicted the 55-year-old of child sexual assault for his "spiritual marriages" to the youngsters.
He was also found guilty of aggravated child sexual assault over his relationships with the pair at his sect's ranch.
The head of a breakaway Mormon sect faces up to 119 years in prison.
Jeffs is considered the spiritual leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
He had represented himself after sacking his lawyers.
In his closing argument, he stood silently in the courtroom for more than 20 minutes before quietly saying: "I am at peace." He then sat down.
During the case, Jeffs had argued the court was interfering with his religious rights by carrying out the trial.
An expert for the prosecution testified that DNA evidence showed Jeffs fathered a child with the 14-year-old.
Jurors also viewed a picture of him passionately kissing the younger girl.
The polygamist sect, which is thought to have 10,000 followers in North America, has been condemned by the mainstream Mormon Church.
And the sect is accused of promoting marriages between older men and girls.

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