Americans Against Abuses of Polygamy
The members of the Bountiful Roundtable, an ad hoc committee consisting of representatives from concerned women’s groups and individuals, are extremely gratified to learn of the decision of Mr. Justice Bauman regarding the polygamy law, said co-chairs Maureen Johnston and Gwen Smith.
via Anti-Polygamy Group Delighted With Ruling / 100 Mile House Free Press
B.C. Supreme Court has upheld Canada’s polygamy laws, but said minors who end up in polygamous marriages should be exempt from prosecution.
In a 335-page decision released on Wednesday, Chief Justice Robert Bauman ruled in favour of the section of the Criminal Code outlawing polygamous unions.
Via Canada’s polygamy laws upheld by B.C. Supreme Court / CBC News
The United States government may become a defendant in a reality-show family’s lawsuit challenging Utah’s law banning polygamy.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints renounced polygamy as a condition of statehood, required by the Utah Enabling Act of 1894. With that in mind, U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups has asked attorneys for the Brown family, stars of the TLC show “Sister Wives,” and the state of Utah to show why the U.S. should not also be added as a defendant in the case.
The attorneys will present their arguments in a hearing scheduled for Dec. 16.
Via U.S. could become defendant in ‘Sister Wives’ case / Salt Lake Tribune
VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Supreme Court is expected to release its long-awaited ruling in a polygamy case on Nov. 23.
In April, after 42 days of hearing evidence about whether or not Canada’s polygamy law is constitutional, Chief Justice Robert Bauman reserved judgment.
Bauman’s ruling will be posted on the B.C. Supreme Court website, according to information released by court officials Tuesday.
A lockup for reporters is being organized just prior to the release of the ruling.
Via Landmark Polygamy Ruling Expected in Two Weeks / Vancouver Sun
(Reuters) – A rural West Texas jury handed ex-bishop Fredrick Merril Jessop the maximum prison sentence of 10 years on Tuesday, a day after finding him guilty of marrying polygamist leader Warren Jeffs to a 12-year-old girl.
Jeffs, 55, leader of a breakaway Mormon sect, is serving a life term for sexually assaulting two child brides.
Via Polygamist Ex-bishop Gets 10-Year Sentence for Jeffs Marriage / Reuters
ST. GEORGE — A judge dismissed rape charges against Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs Wednesday, following a motion filed by prosecutors.
“Based on the circumstances of the case, Mr. Jeffs’ sentence he received in the state of Texas and after discussing with the victims and others involved in the case, we deemed it was not in the interest of justice to retry the case,” said senior deputy Washington County attorney Brian Filter.
via Utah Charges Dismissed Against Warren Jeffs / Deseret News
If you read Jon Krakauer’s 2003 book Under the Banner of Heaven, and followed the trial of Warren Jeffs — notorious leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints, now in jail for life for sexual assault (after a stint on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List) — you’ll dig Sam Brower’s Prophet’s Prey (Bloomsbury, 336 pgs., $27).
via Far From Heaven: Sam Brower Takes Aim at the FLDS Church / San Francisco Bay Guardian
(CNN) — It’s not often that the issue of polygamy makes it to the top of the political agenda. But in the past week it’s become a litmus test for the course of the Arab spring, and part of the debate about the compatibility of Islam and democracy.
Declaring that Libya was liberated, interim Prime Minister Mustafa Abdul-Jalil said last Sunday that laws restricting polygamy would be nullified. Islamic Shariah law would be the basic source of legislation, he said, and new banks would comply with Islam’s prohibition of interest and speculation.
Via After the Arab Spring: Islam, Democracy, Polygamy and Bikinis / CNN
A private detective who lives in Cedar City, Sam Brower pushed the investigation into Warren Jeffs. His book includes writings from Jeffs’ personal journal.
Via Author of book about Warren Jeffs will speak, sign / Salt Lake Tribune
Former polygamous sect leader Wendell Nielsen, 70, on Tuesday pleaded no contest to bigamy and was sentenced to serve 10 years of probation.
As part of the agreement with prosecutors, Nielsen also will not file an appeal and drop his challenge to Texas’s bigamy statute, said his attorney, David Botsford.
Via Former FLDS Leader Pleads No Contest to Bigamy in Texas / Salt Lake Tribune
