Polygamist leader awaits ruling on judge's removal

San Angelo, USA - A judge in San Angelo is expected to rule on a second request by polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs to remove the judge overseeing his trial.

Jeffs is to go on trial July 25 on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child from a 2008 raid on a remote Texas church retreat where authorities believed underage girls were being forced into polygamous marriages.

Jeffs' attorney claims state District Judge Barbara Walther is biased because she took an unusual interest in the case and received extra security because of it.

Judge John Hyde of Midland says he will issue his ruling Tuesday after hearing testimony on the request a day earlier. Hyde denied a similar motion last month.