CRIME DISCUSSION: Warren Jeffs (Child rape mentioned)

**TyrantOfTheWeek** · 08-04-2011, 07:45 AM

Anyone following this wack-o's trial?
Basically, he is a cult leader (FLDS) that had 'child brides' (I think he had like 40 wives of all different ages)
They played an audio tape of him actually having sex with a 12 year-old girl. From the descriptions given by the people on HLN, it was deeply disturbing.

What do you think the jury is going to do? (The jury is 10 women, 2 men) At what point can a person's argument that "My religion says to do it" no longer matters ?

**carg0612** · 08-04-2011, 08:51 AM

There is no excuse for raping a 12 year old, period.

I couldn't possibly predict what the jury will do especially because I have not been following the trial and don't have any idea of the evidence or anything.

I can only hope and pray that the right thing is done by those children. Religion or not raping children is reprehesible under any circumstances and makes my stomach turn.

**TyrantOfTheWeek** · 08-04-2011, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by carg0612

There is no excuse for raping a 12 year old, period.

I couldn't possibly predict what the jury will do especially because I have not been following the trial and don't have any idea of the evidence or anything.

I can only hope and pray that the right thing is done by those children. Religion or not raping children is reprehesible under any circumstances and makes my stomach turn.

ITA. I just wonder what the jury will do. Or how his religious rights will come into play. The whole thing is so sickening.

**Minx_Kristi** · 08-04-2011, 10:53 AM

So that's what it was about! I came across the link and it read about jurors crying when listening to the tape but I haven't read it yet.

With a jury of women, I can't really see him getting away with it. As far as religion goes, it shouldn't be taken into account if the girls are minors!

Did the girls consent to it? Even if they did he should know better!

xx

**Jenn0113** · 08-04-2011, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Minx_Kristi

With a jury of women, I can't really see him getting away with it. As far as religion goes, it shouldn't be taken into account if the girls are minors!

Did the girls consent to it? Even if they did he should know better!

xx

I agree - religion can't come into play with something like this - IMO.

Even if they did consent to it - they have to go by the age when its illegal to have sex with a minor - the term escapes me at the moment.

**AnnaRO** · 08-04-2011, 12:09 PM

This trial is taking place in my town. I think the jury will find him guilty. He fired all of his attorneys and ended up representing himself. He repeatedly motioned to have the judge removed and was denied. He really didn't do anything to defend himself the whole time except for saying that this is what God wanted him to do. Ridiculous!

This whole town was a media circus when that compound got raided a few years ago. There's a few media trucks around the courthouse now, but not near to the extent that it was back then.

**AnnaRO** · 08-04-2011, 02:16 PM

BREAKING NEWS: Closing arguments are done and the jury is now deliberating in the case of FLDS Leader Warren Jeffs. Jeffs stood for 30 minutes during his closing arguments and only said three words, "I'm at peace."

**AnnaRO** · 08-04-2011, 08:50 PM

Guilty

**janijanis** · 08-04-2011, 09:37 PM

thank goodness. i don't think i could handle another not guilty when they obviously are!

this whole thing sickens me. using religion to brainwash those little children and tell them this is what they need to do to get into heaven. UGH!! i feel sick just seeing him.