First up, Raymond Merril Jessop, 36; Allan Eugene Keate, 56; Michael George Emack, 57; and Merril Leroy Jessop, 33 were arraigned Monday and had their first formal day in court.
------------------------------------------
Val Jessop died suddenly Suandy, Sept. 7 of a heart attack. I have two conflicting yet interesting/entertaining perspectives on the man and the company he kept.
Val Jessop: One sad story
FLORA JESSOP KILLS ANOTHER ONE OF HER VICTIMS.
------------------------------------------
And finally, yet another interesting piece from Ron's Insanity, as he focuses on the YZF ranch and the UEP trust money.
Quote:
It's pretty clear to me that the YFZ compound in El Dorado was for the FLDS elite. I guess in many ways you'd call it an FLDS country club. YFZ is no longer part of the communal trust that benefits all members of the FLDS. It is set up as a limited liability company known as "YFZ Ranch, Limited Liability Co. " It's unknown where the "profits" of YFZ Ranch go but I suspect few of those profits flow to the rank and file FLDS member.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
260 FLDS now dropped from YFZ custody case
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700256043,00.html
Excerpt
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Child Protective Services has filed to "nonsuit" three more children taken in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch.
"From our standpoint, nonsuiting means we don't believe the family situation requires court oversight. There may still be some oversight by the department," agency spokesman Patrick Crimmins told the Desert News on Wednesday, just after more filings were made.
The number of FLDS children nonsuited by CPS now stands at 260, including 26 "disputed minors" whom the agency claimed were children, but later conceded were adults.
The reasons for nonsuiting vary from no evidence of abuse, to children who have aged out of the system or parents have taken appropriate steps to protect their children from abuse.
Only one child has been placed back in foster care: a 14-year-old girl whom CPS alleges was married at age 12 to FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.
Excerpt
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Child Protective Services has filed to "nonsuit" three more children taken in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch.
"From our standpoint, nonsuiting means we don't believe the family situation requires court oversight. There may still be some oversight by the department," agency spokesman Patrick Crimmins told the Desert News on Wednesday, just after more filings were made.
The number of FLDS children nonsuited by CPS now stands at 260, including 26 "disputed minors" whom the agency claimed were children, but later conceded were adults.
The reasons for nonsuiting vary from no evidence of abuse, to children who have aged out of the system or parents have taken appropriate steps to protect their children from abuse.
Only one child has been placed back in foster care: a 14-year-old girl whom CPS alleges was married at age 12 to FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Blood Atonement and Murder
A semi-spooky post today about blood atonement and Warren Jeffs (who else?). From an interesting blog I will have to check out more frequently in the future. *note: we seem to all have similar templates for our blogs! don't get confused!
Linked by blood -- The Doctrine of Blood Atonement first taught by early leaders of the LDS church such as Brigham Young (left), was repudiated by the Mormon Church in 1978. The doctrine remains a core belief in the FLDS Church however. It was taught by Prophets Rulon Jeffs (center) and, according to sources close to the church, is still being taught by his son, Warren Jeffs (right), to this day. ~ The Eldorado Success, 2004
Blood Atonement and the FLDS
http://coramnonjudice.blogspot.com/2008/09/blood-atonement-and-flds.html
Over on Ron's Insanity, Ron was talking about Uncle Warren knowingly wanting to violate the law and Pliggy (Al Holm) said that Blood Atonement was not against the law and then said "Blood atonement is a CIVIL law." This made me wonder exactly what the FLDS position was on Blood Atonement.
It seems that the Phoenix New Times has several articles addressing this, but the most telling one is this one. On page 4, it is reported that Jeffs was concerned about building a high temperature furnace so that they could begin to practice blood atonement - the killing of innocents that have in some manner displeased the so-called prophet.
In addition to the Phoenix New Times, the Eldorado Success has published information on Jeffs and blood atonement, the blog of Kathy Jo Nicholson (who believes her brother was killed on Jeffs order), and there is even a mention in USA Today.
We know that John William Nicholson, who was reportedly about to file a lawsuit against Warren Jeffs, mysteriously died. We know that there have been other unusual occurrences within the sect.
As Ron has shown, the FLDS doesn't care about violating the law - they believe that they can do whatever they want.
-------------------------------------
This just made me remember this post on a mysterious FLDS member death. Spooky!
Linked by blood -- The Doctrine of Blood Atonement first taught by early leaders of the LDS church such as Brigham Young (left), was repudiated by the Mormon Church in 1978. The doctrine remains a core belief in the FLDS Church however. It was taught by Prophets Rulon Jeffs (center) and, according to sources close to the church, is still being taught by his son, Warren Jeffs (right), to this day. ~ The Eldorado Success, 2004
Blood Atonement and the FLDS
http://coramnonjudice.blogspot.com/2008/09/blood-atonement-and-flds.html
Over on Ron's Insanity, Ron was talking about Uncle Warren knowingly wanting to violate the law and Pliggy (Al Holm) said that Blood Atonement was not against the law and then said "Blood atonement is a CIVIL law." This made me wonder exactly what the FLDS position was on Blood Atonement.
It seems that the Phoenix New Times has several articles addressing this, but the most telling one is this one. On page 4, it is reported that Jeffs was concerned about building a high temperature furnace so that they could begin to practice blood atonement - the killing of innocents that have in some manner displeased the so-called prophet.
In addition to the Phoenix New Times, the Eldorado Success has published information on Jeffs and blood atonement, the blog of Kathy Jo Nicholson (who believes her brother was killed on Jeffs order), and there is even a mention in USA Today.
We know that John William Nicholson, who was reportedly about to file a lawsuit against Warren Jeffs, mysteriously died. We know that there have been other unusual occurrences within the sect.
As Ron has shown, the FLDS doesn't care about violating the law - they believe that they can do whatever they want.
-------------------------------------
This just made me remember this post on a mysterious FLDS member death. Spooky!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
FLDS Church seeks $8.8 million in UEP Trust lawsuit
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10339447
I had to post the whole thing cause its a lot of info! From the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints filed a lawsuit Friday asking a Utah court to set aside a 2007 judgement that awarded nearly $8.8 million to a trust once overseen by Warren S. Jeffs.
The suit, filed in 3rd District Court, claims the United Effort Plan (UEP) Trust, run by court-appointed fiduciary Bruce R. Wisan since 2005, obtained the award fraudulently.
"The judgement was entered based upon false, incomplete, and misleading evidence [the] defendant presented at a hearing on March 1, 2007," the suit states.
It goes on to say that Wisan falsely argued that the church sold real property for less than full value and that personal property had been wrongfully removed from the trust by the church. It disputes attorneys' and fiduciary fees incurred as a result of property transfers.
In 2007, Judge Denise Lindberg found that Jeffs and other trustees had harmed the trust by selling off property and ordering the removal of buildings and farm equipment. The trust holds nearly all land and buildings in Hilldale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz., the home base of the FLDS Church.
In some cases, FLDS members have asserted that some of the property was private rather than assets of the UEP trust. But Wisan has provided evidence that they were contributed to or bought for the trust.
Wisan also identified 596 acres in an area known as Apple Valley that were transferred at Jeff's direction to private individuals.
Wisan, contacted by phone Friday, said he thought Friday's suit was a desperate attempt "to undue a decision that already has been decided."
The judgement, "certainly wasn't fraudulently obtained," he said. "I certainly think [the suit] is totally without merit."
FLDS attorney Rodney Parker said the church waited as long as it did to respond to these actions because it has "been pushed beyond the breaking point."
He said the $8.8 million judgement is now being used to destroy the FLDS Church, "by systematically taking away its property."
"Although the church and the trustees defaulted in this case, that didn't mean the other side was free to take advantage in providing the court false and misleading information," Parker said.
I had to post the whole thing cause its a lot of info! From the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints filed a lawsuit Friday asking a Utah court to set aside a 2007 judgement that awarded nearly $8.8 million to a trust once overseen by Warren S. Jeffs.
The suit, filed in 3rd District Court, claims the United Effort Plan (UEP) Trust, run by court-appointed fiduciary Bruce R. Wisan since 2005, obtained the award fraudulently.
"The judgement was entered based upon false, incomplete, and misleading evidence [the] defendant presented at a hearing on March 1, 2007," the suit states.
It goes on to say that Wisan falsely argued that the church sold real property for less than full value and that personal property had been wrongfully removed from the trust by the church. It disputes attorneys' and fiduciary fees incurred as a result of property transfers.
In 2007, Judge Denise Lindberg found that Jeffs and other trustees had harmed the trust by selling off property and ordering the removal of buildings and farm equipment. The trust holds nearly all land and buildings in Hilldale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz., the home base of the FLDS Church.
In some cases, FLDS members have asserted that some of the property was private rather than assets of the UEP trust. But Wisan has provided evidence that they were contributed to or bought for the trust.
Wisan also identified 596 acres in an area known as Apple Valley that were transferred at Jeff's direction to private individuals.
Wisan, contacted by phone Friday, said he thought Friday's suit was a desperate attempt "to undue a decision that already has been decided."
The judgement, "certainly wasn't fraudulently obtained," he said. "I certainly think [the suit] is totally without merit."
FLDS attorney Rodney Parker said the church waited as long as it did to respond to these actions because it has "been pushed beyond the breaking point."
He said the $8.8 million judgement is now being used to destroy the FLDS Church, "by systematically taking away its property."
"Although the church and the trustees defaulted in this case, that didn't mean the other side was free to take advantage in providing the court false and misleading information," Parker said.
Friday, August 29, 2008
253 FLDS children now dropped from YFZ custody battle
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700254513,00.html
Excerpt
In what is now becoming a daily occurrence as the nation's biggest child-custody case moves forward, Texas child welfare authorities have filed to "nonsuit" more children taken in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch.
Texas Child Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins confirmed 56 more children from the Utah-based polygamous sect were nonsuited in a San Angelo court on Thursday.
"The total number of individuals nonsuited is 253 (including the 26 disputed minors)," Crimmins told the Deseret News.
The decision to nonsuit ends court jurisdiction over the children, but it does not necessarily end CPS oversight. The reasons to nonsuit have ranged from no evidence of abuse to their parents taking adequate steps to protect them. Children also have turned 18 and are aging out of the system.
"The nonsuits are part of the process as we continue to work through the cases. The investigation continues, and those findings we have yet to announce," Crimmins said. "The lawsuits are in a different category. We're nonsuiting those as we work through them."
Excerpt
In what is now becoming a daily occurrence as the nation's biggest child-custody case moves forward, Texas child welfare authorities have filed to "nonsuit" more children taken in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch.
Texas Child Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins confirmed 56 more children from the Utah-based polygamous sect were nonsuited in a San Angelo court on Thursday.
"The total number of individuals nonsuited is 253 (including the 26 disputed minors)," Crimmins told the Deseret News.
The decision to nonsuit ends court jurisdiction over the children, but it does not necessarily end CPS oversight. The reasons to nonsuit have ranged from no evidence of abuse to their parents taking adequate steps to protect them. Children also have turned 18 and are aging out of the system.
"The nonsuits are part of the process as we continue to work through the cases. The investigation continues, and those findings we have yet to announce," Crimmins said. "The lawsuits are in a different category. We're nonsuiting those as we work through them."
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
10 more FLDS children to be dropped from YFZ custody case
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700254011,00.html
Excerpts
Texas child welfare authorities have filed papers seeking to drop more children of the Fundamentalist LDS Church from court oversight in the nation's largest custody case.
At the close of court on Tuesday, Child Protective Services filed to "nonsuit" 10 more children taken in the raid on the Utah-based polygamous sect's YFZ Ranch near Eldorado, Texas. The decision means the children would be out from under court jurisdiction, but does not end CPS' investigation.
"The only reason we're ending the legal case is we don't feel it needs to be under the supervision of the court," said CPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins. "CPS is satisfied that we don't need the supervision of the court."
The reasons to nonsuit vary, Crimmins said. In some cases, there may be no evidence of abuse. In others, the parents have taken appropriate steps to protect the children. Some have also turned 18 and aged out of the system.
----------------------
As the custody case has progressed, CPS has nonsuited approximately 176 cases.
----------------------
Crimmins said he was unaware of any plans to re-remove anyone else. CPS lawyers are expected to nonsuit more cases in the coming weeks.
"They're nonsuiting as they go along," Crimmins said.
Excerpts
Texas child welfare authorities have filed papers seeking to drop more children of the Fundamentalist LDS Church from court oversight in the nation's largest custody case.
At the close of court on Tuesday, Child Protective Services filed to "nonsuit" 10 more children taken in the raid on the Utah-based polygamous sect's YFZ Ranch near Eldorado, Texas. The decision means the children would be out from under court jurisdiction, but does not end CPS' investigation.
"The only reason we're ending the legal case is we don't feel it needs to be under the supervision of the court," said CPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins. "CPS is satisfied that we don't need the supervision of the court."
The reasons to nonsuit vary, Crimmins said. In some cases, there may be no evidence of abuse. In others, the parents have taken appropriate steps to protect the children. Some have also turned 18 and aged out of the system.
----------------------
As the custody case has progressed, CPS has nonsuited approximately 176 cases.
----------------------
Crimmins said he was unaware of any plans to re-remove anyone else. CPS lawyers are expected to nonsuit more cases in the coming weeks.
"They're nonsuiting as they go along," Crimmins said.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Great new blog
Dunno why I didn't find it earlier, but this is a fantastic blog by the FLDS reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune, Brooke Adams.
http://blogs.sltrib.com/plurallife/
And a fascinating recent piece by her. Hey Escape readers, recognize these ladies?
Barbara, Carolyn and their two daughters
http://blogs.sltrib.com/plurallife/2008/08/barbara-carolyn-and-their-two-daughters.htm
http://blogs.sltrib.com/plurallife/
And a fascinating recent piece by her. Hey Escape readers, recognize these ladies?
Barbara, Carolyn and their two daughters
http://blogs.sltrib.com/plurallife/2008/08/barbara-carolyn-and-their-two-daughters.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)