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AP: FLDS Leader Warren Jeffs Guilty of Child Abuse

Photo by Reagan County Sheriff's Department

Breaking news from San Angelo: The Associated Press reports that Warren Jeffs, the spiritual leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has been found guilty of child sex abuse.

Here's the report from the AP

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) - A Texas jury has convicted polygamist leader Warren Jeff on child sexual assault charges in a case stemming from two young followers he took as brides in what his church calls "spiritual marriages."      The 55-year-old head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints stood stone-faced as the verdict was read.      The charges came after a massive 2008 raid of the church's remote West Texas ranch. Jeffs faces up to life in prison.      A forensic analyst testified that Jeffs was an almost certain DNA match to the child of a 15-year-old mother. Jeffs also was accused of assaulting a 12-year-old girl..      Jeffs acted as his own attorney and claimed he was a victim of religious persecution.

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.
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