Bountiful, B.C. Polygamy Heats Up Again

http://www.kbsradio.ca/news/14/730872

Bountiful leader accuses B.C. AG of religious persecution on polygamy issue

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA - A religious leader at the B.C. polygamous community of Bountiful is accusing the province's attorney general of religious persecution.

Winston Blackmore, one of the religious of leaders of Bountiful, says B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal appears determined to involve himself and his government in religious persecution against the sect.

Oppal announced Monday that he's appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the possibility of criminal charges ranging from sexual assault to polygamy with regard to Bountiful, and provide an opinion on the likelihood of a conviction.

Oppal made the move despite two earlier legal opinions saying proceeding with criminal charges on polygamy would be difficult, although one examination suggested launching a court challenge of the laws barring polygamy as opposed to a criminal prosecution.

In an e-mail to The Canadian Press, Blackmore says Oppal wants to force the Liberal government to prosecute citizens it has an obligation to serve and protect.

Oppal says Blackmore - who does not dispute that he lives a polygamist lifestyle and has numerous wives and dozens of children - appears to be daring him to charge him with polygamy.