SAN ANGELO -- Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for sexually assaulting an underage follower he took as a bride in what his church deemed a "spiritual marriage."
The head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also received a 20-year sentence for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.He stood quietly Tuesday as the decision of the Texas jury was read, giving him the maximum sentence on both counts. They are to be served consecutively. Jason Clark, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said Jeffs, 55, will be eligible for parole in 35 years.Prosecutors had asked the jury for the life sentence after presenting their painstaking and sometimes graphic case, and rejected Jeffs' contention that he was being persecuted for his beliefs."The evidence in this case shows that this isn't a prosecution of a people," prosecutor Eric Nichols said in his closing argument. "This is a prosecution to protect people."During the trial, prosecutors used DNA evidence to show that Jeffs fathered a child with the 15-year-old, and they played an audio recording of what they said was him sexually assaulting the 12-year-old.Jurors deliberated for less than half an hour.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
