Newstory: Jessop Trial - November 7, 2011

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
Feb 2015
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, November 11, 2011

Jessop Convicted! 

Frederick Merril Jessop was convicted Monday, November 7, 2011, 
of the charge of performing an unlawful marriage ceremony by a Coke County 
jury in Robert Lee. 

The jury deliberated less than an hour and a half before returning the 
guilty verdict. 

The state proved their case that Jessop performed an illegal wedding 
ceremony between his twelve year old daughter and YFZ head Warren Jeffs. 
Jeffs was convicted earlier this year of two counts 
of sexual assault of a minor, one resulting from this marriage. 
He is now serving a life sentence. 

Jessop was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and 
a $10,000 fine, following the hearing Monday afternoon and Tuesday. 
Before being taken into custody Monday afternoon, 
Jessop is shown with two of his sons, Nathan and Jim Jessop, outside 
the courthouse in Robert Lee. 

(No pictures are available here)

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