First polygamist sect member to face trial in Texas says prosecution wants to taint jury

Sect member asks judge to exclude allegations

ELDORADO, Texas — A polygamist sect member set to go on trial in Texas for sexaul assault wants a judge to exclude allegations about multiple marriages and illegal bank activity.

Raymond Jessop’s attorney, Mark Stevens, said in a court filing Wednesday that such allegations would unfairly prejudice the jury at Jessop’s trial that starts Oct. 26. The Texas attorney general’s office has said it wants to bring such evidence to enhance any punishment if Jessop is convicted.

The 38-year-old Jessop was indicted last year on a charge of sexual assault of a child stemming from his alleged marriage to a 16-year-old girl. His trial will be the first stemming from the April 2008 raid of the Yearning For Zion Ranch in West Texas.