[Kaye:] Jury selection has started in the trial of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs. He's charged with sexual assaulted on a child and bigamy. Police arrested Jeffs after a raid on the ranch run by his church in 2008. The fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a breakaway sect of the mainstream Mormon church. CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman joins me now here in studio to talk about this. So these are the most serious charges in terms of this trial that he's ever faced?
[Gary Tuchman, Cnn National Correspondent:] These are the most serious charges. And this is what's amazing. Our viewers have probably heard about Warren Jeffs for a long time. He was on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. He's been in jail for five years. But so far he's convicted of nothing. He was convicted in Utah of a less serious charge, but it was overturned because of faulty jury instructions. Arizona dropped its charges against him because Utah had convicted him, but that conviction is no longer valid. But now, very serious charges. Two charges of sexual assault against girls who are 12 and 13 years old. Warren Jeffs accused of having relationships with them and having a baby with the 13-year-old. So it's very serious. What's very interesting, this is not an attack on religious. This is what prosecutors say. This is a prosecution based on a man who they say sexually molests children. Listen.
[Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General:] The issue for the people of the jury to consider is whether or not Warren Jeffs sexually assaulted a minor. We already have five convictions and two other people who pled guilty for similar crimes, other similar activity and at the
[Kaye:] What's fascinating, Gary, is that thousands still believe he is a prophet and they stand by him, right?
[Tuchman:] I mean he I've talked to you about this for years
[Kaye:] Yes.
[Tuchman:] Because you and I have been friends for 30 or 40 years now.
[Kaye:] At least.
[Tuchman:] At least. And we've talked about it long time. And that's what's amazing. He has at least 10,000 followers. This is the largest polygamist sect in the United States of America. In North America. And when I go to these communities, Arizona and Utah and these communities in Colorado, and British Columbia, and Texas, when we talk to people, they love this man. They believe he's a prophet to God. He is God's spokesman on earth. And most of them will never do anything to hurt them. And no matter what he does, it is OK with his most fervent followers.
[Kaye:] How much of how much activity does he still have in terms with the sect? I mean is he still preaching to them?
[Tuchman:] Well, that's what's amazing. I mean he's been in jail for five years. He's been in three four different jail cells of three different states. Right now, he spends thousands of dollars a month on calling cards and he delivers his sermons from inside the jail and he is leading the church and his followers sit inside churches and sit inside their homes in Arizona and Utah and Colorado and they believe that they're hearing the word from God, from this man, who has been accused of being so cruel and terrible to children.
[Kaye:] So, if he is convicted, how many years is he facing?
[Tuchman:] He faces the possibility of life in prison. If he's convicted in the state of Texas, this could put him away forever.
[Kaye:] Have you tried to talk with him?
[Tuchman:] I've tried to talk with him before. He does not talk to infidels. I'm beneath him. And so are most people. I've come up to him
[Kaye:] I would beg differ with that.
[Tuchman:] Well, thank you, Randi, I appreciate that. But that's the fact, that he has not done any interviews. He believes that if you don't believe what he believes, that you are beneath him. You're not worth being talked to.
[Kaye:] Wow. Fascinating and so interesting to see this trial get underway. I know you're going to be following it for us. Gary, thank you. Appreciate it.
[Tuchman:] Thanks, Randi.
[Kaye:] And even though Warren Jeffs has been in jail, he and his church are still gaining power. New developments in the case may have many scratching their heads. You can turn into "Anderson Cooper 360" for the full story by Gary Tuchman tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. And there's a CNN special you don't want to miss on Sunday night about polygamy. Three amazing stories. One show. That's at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Sunday right here on CNN. Michael Jackson's family made a huge announcement today. We'll give you the details right after this.