FLDS: Jury gets digital tour of ranch » Standard-Times
SAN ANGELO, Texas — From the rock quarry to the north to the “guardhouse” at the south, jurors in the trial of Keith Dutson Jr. took a digital picture tour of the Yearning for Zion Ranch that belongs to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The tour was guided by the trial’s first witness, Texas Ranger Nick Hanna, at the request of the prosecution.
Dutson, 25, is an FLDS member accused of sexual assault of a child. His attorneys disparaged the intent of the tour.
“This trial is really about the state of Texas versus the FLDS. It will be hard for you to focus on Keith,” Brandon Hudson, the lead attorney for Dutson, said in his opening statement. “Why do we have to take a tour of the ranch? Why do we have to hear about teachings of the FLDS? And why do we have to bring boxes and boxes and boxes of evidence? Focus on Keith.”