Kirk Torgensen, chief deputy in the Utah Attorney General’s Office, spoke Tuesday at the National Organization For Victim Assistance conference, being held in Salt Lake City. His topic? “Polygamy Victimization.” Former plural wife Carolyn Jessop also spoke. More on her in the next post. But here is a recap of what Torgensen had to say. [...]

FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop made the following statements to The Salt Lake Tribune about the Utah Supreme Court decision overturning two felony convictions of Warren S. Jeffs: The vindictive prosecution of this case put anyone with religious beliefs that contradict the mainstream in jeopardy. I think it is very tough when you have people who [...]

NOTE: All photos are property of The Salt Lake Tribune and may not be used or republished without permission.

I am behind, I know it. There is so much going on, and did I tell you? I don’t just write about polygamy any more. I am assigned now also to the subjects of child welfare, adoption and domestic violence. So, before we move on, here is the end of the Shurtleff interview, which picks [...]

I will continue to update this post with additional comments. More from Rod Parker, FLDS attorney: [On why the FLDS did not react sooner to the court takeover] Another reason was that they had a legitimate expectation that the court would respect their rights. The trust described certain rights they had, the Constitutition gives them [...]

I am back to work today after a few days off — which sure felt good! I thought you might be interested in listening to the comments made by Prosecutor Eric Nichols and FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop after Raymond Jessop was sentenced last week. Here are Nichols’ comments. And here are Jessop’s comments.

Quotes of the day: “Just the type of structures you might find in any community.” — Texas Ranger Sgt. Nick Hanna, describing the homes, offices, temple, medical clinic, dairy, storehouse and school at the YFZ Ranch. “We are in recess at least until the child is well.” — 51st District Judge Barbara Walther after announcing [...]

I have a story out today about the FLDS’ return to North Mohave Community College. In the sidebar, FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop says the community is trying to improve its private/home school system. Here’s a little more background on that aspect of the story. A month or so ago at a legal conference at Snowbird, [...]

Here is the affidavit of FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop included with the writ filed with the Utah Supreme Court today. And here is the short-take writ that went with the 58-page memorandum of points.