polygamy news stories on Newser

Polygamy Roots Could Hurt Mitt: Montana Gov

Rob Quinn — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:25:00 CDT

Mitt Romney's family history could count big time against him this fall, according to Montana's Democratic governor. The candidate could be hurt politically "because his father was born on a polygamy commune in Mexico," Brian Schweitzer tells the Daily Beast . Women are "not great fans of polygamy, 86% were not...

Romney Keeps Touting Dad's Mexican Birth

Kevin Spak — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:23:29 CST

In an effort to win over Florida's wealth of Hispanic voters, Mitt Romney trotted out a little-mentioned piece of family history more than once this week. "My dad was born in Mexico," he often said, expressing sympathy for immigrants. "I wish I could claim that I'm Hispanic, and that would...

Oops: Did Warren Jeffs Preach From Prison?

Matt Cantor — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:14:05 CST

Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs may still be preaching to his sect—over the phone. "We have confirmed that Jeffs made two phone calls on Christmas Day to a relative," a Texas official tells the Los Angeles Times . "At this point, we're investigating whether he may have circumvented policy and may...

Polygamist Warren Jeffs Hospitalized

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:39:12 CDT

Convicted rapist and polygamist leader Warren Jeffs was sent to a Texas hospital last night after refusing to eat or drink enough in prison, the AP reports. Facing a life behind bars without parole until he is at least 100 years old, 55-year-old Jeffs "hasn't been feeling well," his lawyer...

FLDS Erecting Giant Statue of Jeffs

Rob Quinn — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 03:57:13 CDT

With their leader locked up until after his 100th birthday, his devoted followers in the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints are turning to the next best thing: A 38-foot-tall statue of Warren Jeffs. Members of the polygamist sect are secretly assembling a colossal metal statue of Jeffs which will...

Jeffs Will Lead Church From Behind Bars

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:26:28 CDT

Warren Jeffs will spend the rest of his life in prison, but that's not likely to affect his ability to lead his Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, say former church members and expert. Followers of Jeffs' polygamist cult are likely to still revere him as a...

Warren Jeffs Sentenced to Life in Prison

John Johnson — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:40:23 CDT

The jury in Warren Jeffs' sex abuse trial took all of 40 minutes to decide that he should spend the rest of his life in prison. Jeffs was convicted last week of sexually assaulting two girls in his Texas polygamist sect, and the sentencing phrase wrapped up this morning. Jurors...

Warren Jeffs Convicted of Child Sex Abuse

John Johnson — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:17:24 CDT

A Texas jury made quick work of the Warren Jeffs case today, deliberating for less than four hours before finding him guilty of sexually assaulting two underage girls in his polygamist sect, reports CNN . He faces life in prison when the sentencing phase of the trial wraps up. Jeffs acted...

Court Hears Tape of Jeffs Teaching Girls About Sex

Kevin Spak — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:17:48 CDT

It was another exciting day in the Warren Jeffs trial yesterday as prosecutors played tapes of Jeffs telling young women how to please him sexually—as the polygamist leader shouted objections over the recordings. First they played a clip of Jeffs teaching two of his new “spirit wives,” one of...