San Angelo, Texas » A Tom Green County jury deliberated 62 minutes today before finding Merril Leroy Jessop guilty of sexual assault of a child in connection with charges he illegally married an underage girl.

Jessop, 35, is a member of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Earlier in the day, lead prosecuting attorney Eric Nichols gave the first closing argument.

"You can conclude who that child's parents are beyond a shadow of a doubt," he said about the baby resulting from the alleged assault.

Nichols recalled testimony of DNA experts who said Jessop had more than a 99 percent probability of being the father.

Behind him, a projected image showed the girl the state alleges was abused, half smiling and holding the child.

Nichols also referred back to evidence "taken from the sacred church archives," which indicated Jessop was living at the ranch at the time of the offense, which the state says was Aug. 20, 2006, when the girl was 15.

Nichols also told the jury to recall the intent of the "spiritual" or "celestial" marriages that the FLDS practices.

"The purpose of the celestial or spiritual marriage is to be placed in a position to bear children to achieve her eternal salvation," Nichols said.

Lead defense attorney Dan Hurley began his closing arguments with a reference to the book To Kill a Mockingbird , specifically when the main character is told to "walk a mile in their shoes" before judging someone.

Hurley said all the sect members, not just women, were raised to believe that the FLDS prophet is "God's mouthpiece on Earth."

"Was he intentionally and knowingly violating the law, or was he following the directive of the prophet?" Hurley asked.

Tribune reporter Brooke Adams contributed to this story.