Calif. polygamist convicted of torturing 19 kids

Man told officials that his Muslim faith allows him to take multiple wives

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updated 8:09 p.m. ET June 11, 2008

MURRIETA, Calif. - A self-described polygamist was convicted Wednesday of charges that he tortured and abused some of his wives and 19 children and stepchildren.

A jury found 55-year-old Mansa Muhummed guilty on 25 counts, including torturing seven of the children, abusing 12 of them and falsely imprisoning two wives. He faces seven possible life sentences.

Muhummed has told authorities that his Muslim faith gives him the right to take multiple wives. He was arrested in 1999 after one of the women slipped a letter to a postal worker describing abuse.

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His children and stepchildren testified they were starved, beaten and strung up by their feet.

Muhummed has denied any wrongdoing and blamed one of his wives for the alleged abuse.