Polygamist leader faces possible life prison term

[August 09, 2011]  SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) -- Convicted polygamist leader Warren Jeffs is awaiting his punishment from the same Texas jury that convicted him on child sex charges.

Jurors were set to begin deliberations Tuesday in the trial's sentencing phase. Jeffs faces life in prison, where he can still lead the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Prosecutors rested their case Monday after showing photos of Jeffs intimately kissing his young wives. They also played what an FBI agent said was a 2004 audio recording of Jeffs preparing five young girls to have sex with him.

The 55-year-old Jeffs has led the FLDS since 2002. He is considered God's spokesman on Earth among more than 10,000 church followers.

Jeffs was convicted last week of sexually assaulting two underage girls he took as "brides."

[Associated Press; By PAUL J. WEBER]

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