Jury finds sect's Jessop guilty
Matthew Waller
Texas Scripps Newspapers
Posted March 17, 2010 at 9:31 p.m.
SAN ANGELO — A Tom Green County jury Wednesday found Merril Leroy Jessop, 35, guilty of sexual assault of a child in connection with allegations he illegally married an underage girl.
The sentencing phase of his trial continues today, beginning at 9 a.m.
Jessop is a member of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
He maintained a pleasant expression while 51st District Judge Barbara Walther read the jury statement early Wednesday afternoon and pronounced the word “guilty.”
Jurors heard closing arguments Wednesday morning and left at 11:30 a.m. to deliberate. The trial was in its eighth day.
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