Polygamist leader Jeffs’ trial to begin July 25
SAN ANGELO, Texas— The bigamy and sexual assault trial of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs is set to begin July 25.
A West Texas court on Tuesday denied defense motions to further delay the case, and to remove the judge presiding over it.
Lawyers for Jeffs, the ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had argued for more time to parepare their case, and said that state District Judge Barbara Walther exhibited body language that biased jurors during trials of other sect members.
But presiding District Judge John Hyde of Midland said Walther wouldn’t be recused.
Walther then returned to the bench and denied defense calls for further delays.
She also ruled that the case will be heard in San Angelo rather than more-remote Eldorado, Texas.
