Way to give the Mormons a bad name, Jeffs!
Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, who is the head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), was sentenced to life in prison today for “sexually assaulting two underage followers he took as brides in what his church deemed ‘spiritual marriages.'” Awful!
Specifically, Jeffs was accused of fathering a child with a 15-year-old, and he was also accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old. The prosecution were able to prove his guilt through DNA evidence. Sickening.
To give you a bit of background, the FLDS is a radical sect that derived from mainstream Mormonism, and the group believes that polygamy is the key to entering heaven. This group currently has over 10,000 followers.
During the trial, Jeffs tried to argue that his “religious rights were being violated,” but of course that didn’t fly.
Here’s what prosecutor Eric Nichols said in response during his closing argument:
“The evidence in this case shows that this isn’t a prosecution of a people. This is a prosecution to protect people.”
We’re just glad that this terrible man got exactly what he had coming to him!
Our thoughts go out to those poor children who have been abused by Jeffs. We hope that the outcome of this case will spur a larger change with believers of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who have been negatively influenced by this morally bankrupt man.
[Image via AP Images.]
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