( CNN ) -- Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs tried to hang himself earlier this year while he was in jail awaiting trial , according to court documents unsealed by a Utah judge on Tuesday . Sect leader Warren Jeffs arrives in court to hear the verdict against him September 25 in St. George , Utah . Jeffs , the leader and so-called prophet of the 10,000-member Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is now awaiting sentencing after being convicted on two counts of being an accomplice to rape . The documents , released by Fifth District Judge James Shumate at the request of the media , also indicate that Jeffs confessed to `` immorality '' with a `` sister '' and a daughter more than 30 years ago . Among the documents is a competency report on Jeffs completed in April , in which social worker Eric Nielsen wrote that throughout the month of January , Jeffs refused food and drink and developed ulcers on his knees from kneeling in prayer for hours . On January 28 , the report said , he attempted to hang himself in his cell . In the days following the suicide attempt , while he was on suicide watch , Jeffs on separate occasions threw himself against the wall and banged his head on the wall . Jail transcripts show that Jeffs ' suicide attempt came three days after a visit with his brother , Nephi , in which he said , `` I am not the prophet . I never was the prophet , and I have been deceived by the powers of evil ... I ask for everyone 's forgiveness . '' Jeffs also told his brother : `` Farewell forever . '' The day before that , Jeffs told a follower in a phone conversation that he was `` covered with immorality with a sister and a daughter when I was younger . '' In the FLDS , members call adult women `` sister , '' and Jeffs ' meaning was unclear . Jeffs ' defense attorneys , who argued against the release of the documents , said in a motion opposing the unsealing of the statements that Jeffs recanted them the following month . Defense attorneys claim Jeffs ' medical condition influenced his state of mind when the statements were made . They presented Shumate with a letter from another Jeffs attorney , arguing that the statements ' release could influence an Arizona jury when Jeffs stands trial in that state . Jeffs , 51 , was convicted in September of being an accomplice to rape . He was accused of using his religious influence over his followers to coerce a 14-year-old girl into marriage to her 19-year-old cousin . He faces a sentence of up to life in prison when he is sentenced November 20 . The FLDS -- which is not affiliated with the mainstream Mormon church -- is based in the side-by-side border towns of Hildale , Utah , and Colorado City , Arizona . Jeffs , a former school headmaster , is the son of the sect 's previous president and `` prophet , '' Rulon Jeffs , who died in 2002 . Jeffs was on the FBI 's 10 most wanted fugitives list when he was arrested in August 2006 outside Las Vegas , Nevada . Critics say that inside the FLDS , marriages are arranged for girls as young as 13 , and competition for brides may be reduced by exiling male teens and young men . If male followers are excommunicated , critics claim , wives and children can be reassigned . During Jeffs ' trial , defense attorneys claimed authorities were persecuting Jeffs because of his religious beliefs , including practicing polygamy as the way to heaven . If Jeffs disavowed being the prophet of the FLDS , it could cause upheaval within the secretive sect . However , two of his followers who spoke to CNN -- although FLDS members usually do not talk to reporters -- said they do not believe he made the statements . `` He is a perfectly priestly man , '' said a woman who identified herself as Cathy . `` He is a man of God , and we will always love him . Once a prophet , always a prophet . '' Her husband , Patrick , told CNN , `` It 's hogwash . I do n't believe it ... I will always consider him my prophet . '' E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Gary Tuchman contributed to this report .
Documents say after suicide attempt , Jeffs repeatedly banged head on cell wall . Transcripts say Jeffs confessed to `` immorality , '' said he is not `` the prophet '' Jeffs ' attorneys say he has recanted statements . Jeffs due to be sentenced November 20 on accomplice to rape charge .