Jeffs leaves sentencing phase of trial in protest

SAN ANGELO, Texas -- A polygamist sect leader convicted of child sexual assault walked out of his sentencing hearing in protest Friday after reading a statement he said was from God. The statement promised a "whirlwind of judgment" on the world if God's "humble servant" was not set free.

Warren Jeffs, 55, represented himself during an eight-day trial that ended with his conviction on two counts of sexual assault. The same jury must decide his punishment -- which could be up to 119 years to life in prison.

But before the punishment phase began and jurors had been brought back into court Friday, Jeffs said, "I request the full removal of myself as an objection to all that has been presented."

He asked to keep serving as his own attorney, but state District Judge Barbara Walther said he couldn't leave and continue to represent himself at the same time. Instead, she ordered two lawyers who had been Jeffs' standby counsel, Deric Walpole and Emily Munoz Detoto, to represent him.

"Mr. Jeffs, I know this is difficult for you to understand, but you do not have control over these proceedings," Walther said. Jeffs often stands in court and waits up to a full minute before speaking. He slowly and deliberately began responding, saying "I am ...," but Walther ordered a recess.

Walther ordered jurors back to court today to continue hearing testimony but indicated it still might be several days before the case will be handed back to them to decide the punishment.

Walpole wouldn't say whether he planned on calling any witnesses but told jurors to keep in mind that Jeffs was raised in a fundamentalist community that hasn't changed in decades.

"He's a product of his environment," Walpole said.

Jeffs is the ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. The more than 10,000 FLDS members nationwide see Jeffs as a prophet who is God's spokesman on Earth.

He burned through a slate of seven high-powered attorneys, including Walpole and Detoto, in the six months before he decided to represent himself, and Walther said he did so to manipulate the court and stall the case against him.

Jeffs had 78 wives with his legal spouse, and 24 of them were under age 17, said Eric Nichols, lead prosecutor for the Texas attorney general's office, which is handling the case.

Nichols also said he would show that Jeffs committed six other sexual assaults and either witnessed or performed more than 500 polygamist marriages and 67 other sect marriages involving underage girls.