Utah Supreme Court Denies Jeffs Extradition Appeal

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Supreme Court won't block polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs' transfer in custody to Texas for trial on bigamy and sexual assault charges.

The court on Tuesday denied Jeffs' appeal and lifted a stay a lower court had imposed in the case.

The 54-year-old Jeffs is the ecclesiastical head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

His attorneys argued that sending Jeffs to Texas before a long-running criminal case in Utah is resolved denies him the right to a speedy trial.

They also objected to the conditions of an extradition agreement signed by governors Gary Herbert of Utah and Rick Perry of Texas.

It denies Jeffs any chance for release on bail in Texas.