U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart ruled that the same jury will consider that charge, as well as the two counts accusing Jeffs of defrauding the food stamp program, when his trial starts in October.
Jeffs’ lawyers had wanted two trials. They argued that a jury considering the fraud and conspiracy counts would make inferences when they learn Jeffs’ absconded for almost a year. The defense also worried the jury would be prejudiced when they hear or read writings from Jeffs’ brother, FLDS President Warren Jeffs.
