YFZ defendants plead not guilty during arraignment
Thursday, 11 September 2008 00:00
Raymond Merril Jessop, 36, Merril Leroy Jessop, 33, Alan Eugene Keate, 56, and Michael George Emack, 57, each entered not guilty pleas Monday as they appeared before 51st District Judge Barbara Walther during arraignment proceedings. The men, each represented by an attorney, waived their right to have the charges against them formally read aloud in court. They were previously indicted by a Schleicher County Grand Jury on felony charges of Sexual Assault of a Child and Bigamy. Bail restrictions on the men were relaxed a bit, during the hearing. Judge Walther agreed to let the men travel outside Schleicher County in order to work but ordered them not to leave Texas. Two of the men, Michael George Emack and Alan Eugene Keate will be allowed to travel to Utah in order to get their trucks and tools. The men must then return to Texas and remain in the Lone Star state until their trials, Walther ruled.
Court documents released recently reveal that Texas authorities obtained search warrants in April for blood and tissue samples from several YFZ residents, including some of the men already facing charges for Sexual Assault of a Child and Bigamy. Still others, including Jackson Jessop and Nathan Jessop may be facing criminal charges for sexual misconduct with underage girls. Investigator Diane Wilson noted in the affidavit she completed when seeking the search warrants that one of the girls identified herself as the 10th wife of Nathan Jessop and named him as the father of her child. Parts of the evidence under consideration was previously used in child custody cases stemming from the April 3rd raid at the YFZ Ranch. A caseworker for Texas Child Protective Services testified last week that nearly half of the men living at the YFZ Ranch were involved in underage marriages.
Reporters rebuffed by Attorney General
Thursday, 18 September 2008 00:00
Grand Jurors names won’t be released
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled last week that District Court Clerk Peggy Williams is not required to release the names of Schleicher County grand jurors despite the fact that the jurors were impaneled during an open meeting of the 51st District Court in April of this year.
Abbott ruled that the clerk’s office compiled the list of jurors while it was acting as an agent of the judiciary branch of the government, making them exempt from release under the Texas Open Records Act.
As predicted in last week’s edition of THE SUCCESS, the term of Schleicher County Grand Jurors currently serving has been extended by three months. The extension means that the jurors will continue serving until the end of the year. The extension came at the request of Assistant Attorney General Eric Nichols who sought and received permission from 51st District Judge Barbara Walther for the three-month extension. Meanwhile, a new grand jury will be impaneled in October. Grand juries routinely serve six-month terms from April to October and October to April. The three month extension of the current jury’s term means that for a brief time Schleicher County will have two grand juries serving concurrently.
Grand jury hands down five more indictments
Thursday, 25 September 2008 00:00
Schleicher County grand jurors spent much of the day Tuesday, September 23, 2008 mulling over evidence in the Memorial Building before handing down five felony indictments. County Clerk Peggy Williams announced the indictments about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after the grand jury recessed for the day. Ms. Williams said that the five felony indictments involved three individuals but declined to say more until warrants are served and suspects are arrested. Ms. Williams did confirm, however, that the grand jury is slated to meet again on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 and Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
FLDS mom allegedly offered to trade child for one in custody
Thursday, 25 September 2008 00:00
Sect leaders suddenly drop court challenge to YFZ Ranch search warrants
Barbara Jessop wants her daughter back from state custody and she allegedly tried to arrange the girl’s release by offering to trade state child welfare authorities another of her children in return for the 14-year-old girl. The girl was allegedly married to FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs when she was only 12. Ms. Jessop lost custody of the girl last month after pleading the Fifth Amendment more than 50 times during a court hearing.
Word of Jessop’s offer to trade for the girl’s release came to light last week when Child Protective Service workers filed a routine report in 51st District Court. The report noted a number of concerns about Ms. Jessop’s compliance with state rules.
Raymond Merril Jessop, 36, Merril Leroy Jessop, 33, Alan Eugene Keate, 56, and Michael George Emack, 57, each entered not guilty pleas Monday as they appeared before 51st District Judge Barbara Walther during arraignment proceedings. The men, each represented by an attorney, waived their right to have the charges against them formally read aloud in court.
Schleicher County grand jurors spent much of the day Tuesday, September 23, 2008 mulling over evidence in the Memorial Building before handing down five felony indictments.
Barbara Jessop wants her daughter back from state custody and she allegedly tried to arrange the girl’s release by offering to trade state child welfare authorities another of her children in return for the 14-year-old girl.