BC Court to hear final arguments in polygamy trial
Posted Mar 27, 2011 04:59:58 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Former BC Attorney General Wally Oppal says he has no regrets about the failed prosecution of two polygamous leaders from Bountiful.
Oppal was the Attorney General when a special prosecutor approved charges against Winston Blackmore and Jim Oler in 2009. A judge later threw out the case out, saying the earlier decision to not lay charges was final. That kicked off hearings on the constitutionality of polygamy, which resume this week.
Fundamentalist Mormons from Bountiful will argue their religion supports men having multiple wives, and the state has no business in the matter.
Federal and provincial governments, along with women’s rights groups, argue polygamy amounts to sexual abuse and should be outlawed.
Many suspect the Supreme Court of Canada will likely have the final say.
