A former aide to a polygamous sect leader has testified that church leaders selected which people would serve as police officers and in government leadership posts in two towns in Arizona and Utah that are accused of religious discrimination.
Dowayne Barlow also testified Wednesday in a federal civil rights case against Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, that employees of the communities helped send packages of money and letters to sect leader Warren Jeffs while he was being sought on charges of arranging marriages between girls and older men.
Barlow is a witness for the U.S. Justice Department in its lawsuit against the towns.
He is a former aide to Lyle Jeffs, Warren Jeffs' brother and a bishop for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Barlow testified after lawyers for both sides presented opening statements.
The cities are accused of systematically denying housing, water services and police protection to any non-believers.
