Jury yet to be seated in polygamist leader's trial

[July 26, 2011]  SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) -- Jury selection is beginning its second day in the trial of a polygamist leader accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls.

Warren Jeffs is the ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism that believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven.

A field of 280 potential jurors was reduced by about 60 Monday. Those remaining answered written questions. The defense and the prosecution will quiz them on their responses Tuesday.

If convicted, Jeffs faces up to 99 years to life in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child, plus 20 years behind bars for aggravated sexual assault.

His church built a compound in remote Eldorado, Texas, 45 miles south of San Angelo, where his trial is being held.

[Associated Press; By WILL WEISSERT]

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