Warren Jeffs Trial, notes

September 24, 2007

Things I made note of during the trial…

After the jury went into deliberations, the alleged victim in the case approached two photographers to thank them for their work covering the trial. One told me he didn’t make any response (as doing so could have been considered a sign of bias).

One of the pool photos from inside the court had a TV personality from one channel in the background. When another channel aired the photo, there was a big splotch in it, blurring out the competition’s man. It wasn’t like there weren’t other photos to choose from, but I guess blurring parts of an image isn’t a big deal for TV.

As I sit here now before the verdict comes down, I could see the case going either way. But everyone I’ve talked to all week seems to have a definite opinion on whether Warren Jeffs will be found guilty or innocent. Am I stupid for still grappling with the facts of the case? Or does that make me smart?

Of course, if I did have an opinion on the case I wouldn’t tell you.

There’s one woman here, allegedly covering the trial for a newspaper. She keeps to herself, and has told other people that she hates all of the other writers. She says they keep getting things wrong. The writers all tell me there’s something wrong with her. Then at the end of the trial she showed up at the court with her hair pulled up in braids and wearing a long-sleeved pink pastel dress (just like Warren Jeffs’ supporters). What’s going on?

I had to wear long pants whenever I was in court. As soon as I made it back to the room, the shorts went on. I wonder if anyone noticed that over several days in court I was rotating between only three pairs of long pants?

A reporter who came into town Friday peeked into my room and said it looked like I’d moved right in. I guess the flat panel TV, speakers, Xbox360, computer setup, groceries, stack of books, videos, etc. were the dead giveaway. Not that I ever had much time to enjoy any of those things. Every day was a lot of work.

Best thing I brought: speakers. Being able to listen to music in the room through quality speakers helped me to keep sweet.

After fourteen days in St. George, trying not to repeat dinner became more and more challenging. Even the best restaurant in town started to suck on the third visit.

Late last night one of my boys called. He said he couldn’t get to sleep because he missed me so much. This has been a long trip. Hopefully today is the end.

Now the jury is deliberating. And we wait…

Posted by Trent Nelson | Filed Under On Assignment, Polygamy, Trent 

Related Posts

Comments

3 Comments to “Warren Jeffs Trial, notes”

  1. maegan on September 24th, 2007 6:46 pm

    Hey Trent, I’m really enjoying the tour of St. George deserts. What did you guys put for the media request regarding the remote cameras? Did you have to show the judge exactly what you had in mind? I’m thinking of trying to do this for an upcoming trial.

  2. CN on September 26th, 2007 6:05 pm

    Does this make you smart? Teetering back and forth on your own conclusion…. I think that is the most interesting thing I have ever heard you say. Smarter? Yes. Does that bother me a little… yes. Only because I wonder what other “obvious” law breaking citizens you have sympathy for.

  3. trent on September 26th, 2007 9:13 pm

    Maegan-
    I don’t know how the request for remotes was handled. But I’d suggest giving it a shot.

    CN-
    I was talking about my guess on how the jury would come down, guilty or not guilty. I’ve never expressed an opinion on Jeffs’ guilt or innocence in this case, though many legal experts said it was a weak case. Doesn’t matter now, he was convicted.

Got something to say?