Jury selection enters 2nd day in 1st criminal trial linked to raid at polygamist sect’s ranch

Jury selection resumes in polygamist sect trial

ELDORADO, Texas — Jury selection has resumed in the first criminal trial stemming from the raid of a polygamist group’s ranch in Texas last year.

More than 100 potential jurors returned Tuesday morning as lawyers seek 12 jurors and two alternates for the trial of 38-year-old Raymond Jessop.

Jessop is the first man from the Yearning For Zion Ranch to go on trial since authorities raided the compound in April 2008. The compound belongs to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Jessop faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault of a child, a charge stemming from his alleged marriage to an underage girl.

Court documents indicate she gave birth to a daughter at the ranch when she was 16.

Prosecutors allege Jessop has nine wives. He also faces a bigamy charge that will be tried later.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ELDORADO, Texas (AP) — Jury selection continues in the first criminal trial stemming from the raid of a polygamist sect’s ranch in Texas last year.

About 150 potential jurors are being asked to return Tuesday as lawyers seek 12 jurors and two alternates for the trial of 38-year-old Raymond Jessop.

Jessop is the first man from the Yearning For Zion Ranch to go on trial since authorities raided the compound last April. He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault of a child, a charge stemming from his alleged marriage to an underage girl.

Court documents indicate she gave birth to a daughter at the ranch when she was 16.

Prosecutors allege Jessop has nine wives. He also faces a bigamy charge that will be tried later.