Former FLDS Leader Sentenced To Prison

A Utah judge yesterday sentenced Warren Jeffs, former leader of the polygamous FLDS Church, to two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison for forcing 14-year old Elissa Wall to "spiritually" marry her 19-year old cousin Allen G. Steed. Jeffs did not heed her later request to be released from the marriage because of unwanted sexual contact. Today's New York Times reports on the sentencing following Jeffs conviction on the unusual charges of being an accomplice to rape. Reporting on the sentence, the AP quotes Jeff's attorney, Wally Bugden, who said: "This was all about religion. The foundation of this case was the prosecution of Mr. Jeffs because of placement marriage." Meanwhile according to UPI, Jeffs attorneys have already filed an appeal of his conviction, arguing that there was no evidence showing Jeffs was aware of the nonconsensual sex forced on Wall. (See prior related posting.)