Texas Justice coming for Warren Jeffs

Warren Jeffs is headed to Texas. The Salt Lake Tribune just reported that Jeffs can be extradicted, over his attorneys‘ objections, for trial in Texas.

A Utah judge on Monday ordered polygamous sect leader Warren S. Jeffs extradited to Texas to face bigamy and sexual assault charges there.

Jeffs’ attorneys had fought the extradition, arguing that sending Jeffs to Texas would violate his right to a speedy re-trial on accomplice to rape charges in Utah.

But 3rd District Judge Terry Christiansen sided with prosecutors who argued once a governor signs an extradition orders, courts can only decide whether the papers are in order.

“I don’t believe it’s proper for this court to substitute its judgment for that of the governor,” said Christiansen in making his ruling Monday.

This blog has looked at the Warren Jeffs’ case a few times. To review, check out posts about his conviction being over turned here, The resulting hubbub when it was overturned here, victims speaking out against Warren Jeffs here, other polygamists in Utah here (including a few that ran for public office), and coverage of Jeffs’ attorneys’ objections to extradition here.

(h/t to the Salt Lake Tribune’s Lindsay Whitehurst)

Related articles

• Will Warren Jeffs face Texas justice sooner than later? (lawafterthebar.wordpress.com)
• Warren Jeffs’ attorneys object to extradition ()
• Polygamist Prophet Warren Jeffs: One Step Closer to a Texas Court (time.com)
• Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs refuses extradition to Texas (cnn.com)
• Will Texas Have Better Luck with Warren Jeffs? (time.com)
• Sect leader Jeffs fights extradition to Texas (seattletimes.nwsource.com)