Things got very interesting Tuesday at the trial, as FLDS members took the stand to testify in their prophet, Warren Jeffs’ defense. This was an unprecedented view into their insular society.
The first witness was Jennie Pipkin, who brought her iPod, which was loaded with FLDS music and sermons by Warren Jeffs. The sermons alone, with a few LeRoy Johnson and Rulon Jeffs clips mixed in, totaled 769 tracks that would take 18 days straight to play.
Jennie was a very interesting witness. She seemed to be pretty candid, and less obviously coached than some of the others (for the record, all of the witnesses in this trial from both sides have seemed coached).
She told of her arranged marriage at 17, how she had five kids (she’s 25 now) and then wanted to take a break from having kids. That’s right, readers, she had five and only wanted a break. Since most FLDS believe that sex is for having children, this meant no more sex for the Pipkins. Jennie said she stopped letting her husband even hug or kiss her. This led to problems and Jennie eventually asked Warren for a release from her husband, which was granted. A release is pretty much a divorce, but in the FLDS community, it’s likely that Jennie was or will be re-assigned to a new husband and bring her children into his family.
When it was time for the prosecution to cross-examine Jennie, she leaned down on the podium like this. I saw the move as demonstrating a sort of confidence, or maybe a lack of nervousness. Another (unnamed) photographer said it came across as the response of a child or someone young/naive/etc.
It was fascinating to hear FLDS members like Jennie tell their stories. Like I’ve said before, if they had been this open in the past I wonder if today’s events would be taking place. I know that it’s easy for me to say that. I’m not living an illegal lifestyle that has been cracked down on repeatedly. But the secrecy thing obviously hasn’t worked either.
After my time in the court, I went outside to check the audio feed. Some of the TV people asked me about the witnesses. I said, “You know, it was surprising. She came across as candid, responsive, not nervous at all…”
“And totally brainwashed!!!” said a TV guy. (Who, for the record, hadn’t seen or heard Jennie’s testimony.)
If you want to hear Jennie’s voice, you can check out the Warren Jeffs Trial 60 Second Update I did last night. Link is here: http://166.70.44.68/multimedia/0918jeffs/index.html
“And totally brainwashed!!!” said a TV guy.
Let him who is without Stockholm Syndrome cast the first pearl.
This is absurd that women like this have to put up with all of this. I mean, they need to have a choice. You cannot expect them to live in this kind of enviroment and be okay with the consequences when they do not give consent. Can you really say that these women are happy? Have you even taken thier feelings into consideration. For god sakes, these women have NO CHOICE. Of course they are going to follow the rules. They would rather live than be beaten to death. I cannot believe the government in the United States that we are not fixing this problem. THIS IS WRONG. These women need help!!
German women wept openly, as Hitler passed by in his motorcade.
While watching “Son’s Of Perdition” lastnight i was beginning to wonder if this little girl that ran to the police and eventually returned was the same girl in the movie? in the movie she explains she doesnt want to be with this group anymore.
If Warren Jeffs had explain everything to each member, and each child, what is outside the town, such as beliefs and their ways of living. I doubt he would have a member left. This is blatant cult activity. with severe brain washing! from infancy to adulthood. they live as though their religion is in a world of its own. Not to mention most of the kids who have escaped places like these have no idea what certain things are, most are wanting to go to high school or college!
i think that is fantastic! im so tired of hearing of men like this take jesus under his home and call it the allmighty word, warren jeffs word, believe him give him all your money your children so he can rape, and eventually marry. illegal you ask? he would say no thats what god wants.
its just another way of raping innocent children, not only sexually but their entire being.
can you emagine what it will now be like for these children to move on to a healthy relationship?
and to see your child as an object as the documentary stated, my gods i look at my daughter thinking…. what joy i would be missing if i only saw her as an object.