Reports from the San-Angelo Standard-Times indicate that the former Bishop of the controversial Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been found guilty by a jury of his peers for presiding over the marriage of a 12 year old girl to notorious polygamist Warren Jeffs.
The case has attracted the attention of legal analyst from across the country, as Frederik Jessop put forth a defense that the religious act of “sealing” did not have the effect of marriage under Texas state law. Many believe such a defense invokes freedom of religion and marriage laws, however the difficult facts lead to the conviction by the jury.
Jessop now faces the punishment phase of the system, and may receive between 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. He was convicted of conducting an illegal ceremony, a seldom used law in Texas that has been brought to the forefront with charges against members of the polygamist church.
