The Vancouver Sun - Canada February 18, 2011
Bountiful parents delivered 12- and 13-year-old brides to arranged weddings with Warren Jeffs
BY DAPHNE BRAMHAM, VANCOUVER SUN
In 2005, two fathers from the fundamentalist Mormon community of Bountiful, B.C. drove their 12-year-old daughters across the U.S. Border.
They went separately and, in one case, the girl’s mother went along.
The purpose of the trips? Marriage, according to documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court Friday. The girls were “sealed for time and eternity” in religious ceremonies to Warren Jeffs, the prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jeffs was 49 at the time.
The ceremonies took place in the FLDS-controlled twin towns of Colorado City, Ariz. and Hildale, Utah. In one case, both the girl’s mother and father participated in the ceremony. Both girls were subsequently driven by an FLDS official to Texas where the church have a compound called Yearning for Zion ranch.
A year earlier, the documents say that a 13-year-old Bountiful girl was also taken by her father and mother to Colorado City where she was “celestially married” to Jeffs at a ceremony in James Allred’s home.
No one is certain how many wives Jeffs has, although it’s commonly estimated to be more than 80.
The polygamous prophet is currently in a Texas jail awaiting trial on two counts of sexual abuse of minors and one count of bigamy. It’s not known whether the Canadian girls are linked to those charges.
It’s as a result of the Texas investigation that last week lawyers for the B.C. government found out about the two, 12-year-old girls and their parents. And it was only after receiving that information that B.C. lawyers learned that other provincial officials had known some details about the 13-year-old.
On Friday, B.C. government lawyers filed an application in B.C. Supreme Court asking that this new evidence be heard as part of the constitutional reference case even though Chief Justice Robert Bauman’s case management order from a year ago stipulated that no evidence could be submitted after a certain point, which has now past.
Next Friday, the chief justice will hear arguments before deciding whether to admit the evidence and whether to seal the documents attached to the application that include: the parents’ names, the girls’ names and birth records and FLDS marriage records seized in a 2008 raid on the Texas compound that was prompted by a complaint about child sexual abuse.
At the time, former Bountiful resident Teressa Wall Blackmore told The Vancouver Sun that she knew of five Bountiful girls who were living at the ranch – two of whom were married to Jeffs.
At the time, Canadian consular officials as well as then-attorney general Wally Oppal also said that they were aware that some Canadian teens were taken into protective custody in Texas.
Why nothing was done in 2008 either by the ministry of children and family development or by the attorney general’s criminal justice branch is an open question.
Now, that information about the three child brides is being used by the government lawyers as evidence of the harm of polygamy – harm is a primary reason that a right such as religious freedom can be overridden.
But what these parents allegedly did is not only shocking and amoral, it is criminal.
Having sex with children is described in the Criminal Code as sexual exploitation and punishable by up to 10 years in jail.
Human trafficking is defined as recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving persons who have been threatened, coerced, abducted, deceived or who were in a position of vulnerability because of the traffickers position of power.
However, because Canada’s legislation was not enacted until November 2005, it may not be applicable. Unfortunately, the mandatory minimum sentence of five years for trafficking minors definitely can’t be used because it wasn’t enacted until June 2010.
But if the child brides were delivered to Jeffs after November 2005, the parents could face up to life in prison and a $1 million fine.
And that’s not the end of it.
Two more unusual sections of the Criminal Code – Sections 170 and 171 – might be applicable.
The first makes it an offence for a parent or guardian of anyone under 18 who procures the child for the purpose of engaging in any sexual activity with another person. If the child is under 16, the punishment ranges from six months to five years in jail.
The other is section 171, which makes it a criminal offence for a householder to knowingly permit a person under 18 to “resort to or be in or on the premises for the purpose of engaging in any sexual activity.” The maximum penalty is five years in jail.
Of course, laying criminal charges takes both political and bureaucratic will – something that until recently has been tragically lacking in British Columbia.
This article was found at:
***************************************************************************
Salt Lake Tribune - Utah February 21, 2011
New underage marriage allegations surface against Warren Jeffs
BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST | The Salt Lake Tribune
Records seized in a raid on a polygamous sect’s compound in Texas show Warren S. Jeffs allegedly took three underage Canadian girls as spiritual wives in 2004 and 2005.
The information came to light Friday as part of a case examining whether Canadian law banning polygamy is constitutional.
The fathers of two 12-year-old girls drove their daughters over the U.S. border from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints settlement of Bountiful, British Columbia, according to Texas prosecutor Eric Nichols.
After a stop at the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., the girls arrived at the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, where they were allegedly spiritually married to Jeffs on Dec. 16, 2005.
In documents filed with the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Nichols quoted records seized in a massive raid on the YFZ Ranch in 2008. In that raid, now thought to have been sparked by a hoax call for help from a woman posing as a 16-year-old girl, authorities seized extensive evidence that has already been used to prosecute seven FLDS men on sex and bigamy charges. Five more men, including Jeffs, are awaiting trial.
More than 400 children were also taken into the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, but later returned to their families.
The information on the third girl came from Texas Child Protective Services. In a letter to Canadian prosecutors, supervisor Angie Voss quotes a dictation in the “Record of President Warren Jeffs,” a document seized in the raid.
“In brief ... this girl was called on a mission; and [the girl and her family] received it joyfully. And there [the girl], age 13, was sealed to Warren Steed Jeffs for time and all eternity,” in Colorado City, Ariz., on March 1, 2004.
The documents don’t address whether those marriages were consummated. Though Texas authorities did not immediately return messages seeking comment, the Canadian girls do not appear to be the same two victims in Jeffs’ Texas sexual assault and bigamy charges. Those charges relate to an alleged spiritual marriage between Jeffs and a 12-year-old girl, and a baby that Jeffs allegedly fathered with another underage girl.
Jeffs, 55, is estimated to have at least 40 wives. He was arrested in August 2006, about a year after he was charged with arranging an underage marriage in Arizona.
Jeffs’ Arizona defense attorney Michael Piccarreta said he’s skeptical of evidence coming out of the Texas raid.
“I don’t trust anything that comes out of Texas, I don’t believe anything that comes out of Texas unless I can see, handle, taste and touch it,” he said. No evidence of Jeffs being married to underage girls was presented in Arizona, he said; authorities there were communicating with their counterparts in Texas after the raid. Charges against him there were dismissed last year.
Arizona officials did not immediately return a message seeking comment on whether they were investigating the March 2004 case.
This article was found at:
RELATED ARTICLES:
Stop Polygamy in Canada website has notes taken by observers in the courtroom as well as links to most of the affidavits and research the court is considering in this case.
Canadian polygamy case hears additional witnesses, school that intellectually abuses children given top ranking
Polygamy prohibition is a reasonable limit on religious freedom to protect the equality rights of women and children
Polygamy prohibition is a reasonable limit on religious freedom to protect the equality rights of women and children
For Mormon polygamists in Canadian case religious freedom means enslaving women, sexualizing girls, exploiting boys
Two more plural wives testify in Canadian polygamy case, see no problem with forced marriage or trafficking child brides
Testimony of first FLDS witness in Canadian polygamy case reveals women in denial that their children are being abused
First anonymous FLDS witness in Canadian polygamy case paints cosy picture of plural marriage, seems oblivious to abuses
Affidavit in Canadian polygamy case reveals shocking statistics on child trafficking, child brides and teen mothers in Bountiful
Economics professor considers financial aspects of polygamy that create inequality
Two Mormon fundamentalist women from Utah tell Canadian court positive accounts of polygamy, no hint of abuse
Brother of FLDS bishop describes intellectual abuse, child labour, spiritual abuse and loveless religion in Canadian polygamy case
No freedom from religion for women and children in Mormon polygamist towns where men claim religious freedom to abuse
Mormon polygamist survivor tells court babies smothered to keep quiet, emotional and spiritual abuse worse than sex abuse
Video testimony by Mormon fundamentalist in Canadian court says polygamy provides happy life and harms no one
Survivor tells Canadian court extreme abuses including water torture of babies common in Mormon polygamist communities
FLDS bishop of Bountiful will not testify in Canadian polygamy case so his affidavit will not be read into record
Legal expert tells Canadian court polygamy prohibitions and monogamy tradition pre-date Christianity
The issue of women's rights in the Canadian constitutional review of the polygamy law
Before holiday break in constitutional case judge hears conflicting expert testimony on harms associated with polygamy
Expert in polygamy case says society should assume all members of sects have free choice, but what about children?
B.C. government expert in polygamy case sets out long list of social harms, societies that abandon polygamy do better
Court views video affidavits from Mormon fundamentalist survivors detailing pedophilia, incest, child trafficking and forced marriage
Polygamy expert tells court in constitutional case that it reduces women's freedom and equality and leads to forced marriage
Affidavits from survivors and psychologist's testimony in constitutional case show abusive nature of polygamous lifestyle
Expert witness in constitutional case on polygamy claims Bountiful women freely choose their own religious oppression
Judge allows controversial expert witness to testify in Canadian polygamy case, no decision yet on publication of video affidavits
Pro-polygamy intervenor groups make opening statements as first week of Canadian constitutional case ends
FLDS lawyer in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy claims members freely consent to plural marriage, abuse survivors disagree
Lawyer appointed to argue for striking down Canada's anti-polygamy law in constitutional case makes opening arguments
Canadian constitutional case on polygamy begins with BC government's opening statement
Unique Canadian constitutional case on polygamy set to begin November 22, 2010
Timeline of events leading up to Canadian constitutional case on polygamy which is set to begin
Survivor of abuse by Mormon polygamists documents accounts of sex crimes in the FLDS and other fundamentalist groups
Mormon fundamentalist leader asks court to exclude evidence against him in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy
Fundamentalist Mormon spokeswoman says polygamy doesn't hurt anyone
Mormon fundamentalist claims of religious persecution in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy not supported by the facts
Polygamist leader says BC attorney general guilty of religious persecution
Polygamist leader calls charges religious persecution
More persecution than prosecution
Second Mormon polygamist found guilty of child sex assault, jury doesn't buy defense claim of religious persecution
Claims of persecution ridiculous in societies where Christians have special privileges to indoctrinate children
More pro-polygamy affidavits by Mormon fundamentalists filed in Canadian constitutional case set to begin in November
Judge will allow anonymous testimony from Mormon polygamists in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy
Mormon polygamists seek immunity from future prosecution before giving evidence in Canadian constitutional case
Canadian constitutional case on polygamy triggered by Mormon fundamentalists, but will also examine Muslim communities
Utah law professor uses Mormon polygamists as example of how religious extremism leads to deliberate child abuse
Polygyny and Canada’s Obligations under International Human Rights Law (pdf)
Research paper submitted to B.C. court in constitutional case documents harms associated with polygamy
Man from Bountiful says girls in Mormon polygamist communities "treated like poison snakes", taught to obey men and have many children
Bountiful evidence that polygamy harms women and children - constitutional case likely to reach Canadian Supreme Court
Review of the positions 12 intervener groups are expected to take in upcoming Canadian constitutional case on polygamy
Some religious practices, such as polygamy, are inherently harmful and should not be tolerated in modern society
Women's adovcates: polygamy is an “oppressive institution” that abuses and enslaves women and children
Prosecuting Polygamy in El Dorado by Marci Hamilton
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearings on Polygamy Crimes: What Needs to Be Done at the Federal Level to Protect Children from Abuse and Neglect
Senate hearing: "Crimes Associated with Polygamy: The Need for a Coordinated State and Federal Response."
Texas Will Attempt to Show That Polygamist Culture Itself Harms Children
FLDS defendants complain their religious freedom violated, while denying religious freedom to their children
Children in Bountiful have religious rights too, but are denied them by parents claiming religious freedom
Some Canadian children are protected from religion-related abuse, while others are not
Polygamy is not freedom
Israeli politicians and women's advocates call for immediate change to polygamy law to protect rights of women and children
New study on polygamy in Malaysia finds evidence of harm to everyone involved
Indonesian Women's Association divided on whether polygamy, which is legal in Indonesia, is harmful to women and children
Two more plural wives testify in Canadian polygamy case, see no problem with forced marriage or trafficking child brides
Testimony of first FLDS witness in Canadian polygamy case reveals women in denial that their children are being abused
First anonymous FLDS witness in Canadian polygamy case paints cosy picture of plural marriage, seems oblivious to abuses
Affidavit in Canadian polygamy case reveals shocking statistics on child trafficking, child brides and teen mothers in Bountiful
Economics professor considers financial aspects of polygamy that create inequality
Two Mormon fundamentalist women from Utah tell Canadian court positive accounts of polygamy, no hint of abuse
Brother of FLDS bishop describes intellectual abuse, child labour, spiritual abuse and loveless religion in Canadian polygamy case
No freedom from religion for women and children in Mormon polygamist towns where men claim religious freedom to abuse
Mormon polygamist survivor tells court babies smothered to keep quiet, emotional and spiritual abuse worse than sex abuse
Video testimony by Mormon fundamentalist in Canadian court says polygamy provides happy life and harms no one
Survivor tells Canadian court extreme abuses including water torture of babies common in Mormon polygamist communities
FLDS bishop of Bountiful will not testify in Canadian polygamy case so his affidavit will not be read into record
Legal expert tells Canadian court polygamy prohibitions and monogamy tradition pre-date Christianity
The issue of women's rights in the Canadian constitutional review of the polygamy law
Expert in polygamy case says society should assume all members of sects have free choice, but what about children?
B.C. government expert in polygamy case sets out long list of social harms, societies that abandon polygamy do better
Court views video affidavits from Mormon fundamentalist survivors detailing pedophilia, incest, child trafficking and forced marriage
Polygamy expert tells court in constitutional case that it reduces women's freedom and equality and leads to forced marriage
Affidavits from survivors and psychologist's testimony in constitutional case show abusive nature of polygamous lifestyle
Expert witness in constitutional case on polygamy claims Bountiful women freely choose their own religious oppression
Judge allows controversial expert witness to testify in Canadian polygamy case, no decision yet on publication of video affidavits
Pro-polygamy intervenor groups make opening statements as first week of Canadian constitutional case ends
FLDS lawyer in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy claims members freely consent to plural marriage, abuse survivors disagree
Lawyer appointed to argue for striking down Canada's anti-polygamy law in constitutional case makes opening arguments
Canadian constitutional case on polygamy begins with BC government's opening statement
Unique Canadian constitutional case on polygamy set to begin November 22, 2010
Timeline of events leading up to Canadian constitutional case on polygamy which is set to begin
Survivor of abuse by Mormon polygamists documents accounts of sex crimes in the FLDS and other fundamentalist groups
Mormon fundamentalist leader asks court to exclude evidence against him in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy
Fundamentalist Mormon spokeswoman says polygamy doesn't hurt anyone
Mormon fundamentalist claims of religious persecution in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy not supported by the facts
Polygamist leader says BC attorney general guilty of religious persecution
Polygamist leader calls charges religious persecution
More persecution than prosecution
Second Mormon polygamist found guilty of child sex assault, jury doesn't buy defense claim of religious persecution
Claims of persecution ridiculous in societies where Christians have special privileges to indoctrinate children
More pro-polygamy affidavits by Mormon fundamentalists filed in Canadian constitutional case set to begin in November
Judge will allow anonymous testimony from Mormon polygamists in Canadian constitutional case on polygamy
Mormon polygamists seek immunity from future prosecution before giving evidence in Canadian constitutional case
Canadian constitutional case on polygamy triggered by Mormon fundamentalists, but will also examine Muslim communities
Utah law professor uses Mormon polygamists as example of how religious extremism leads to deliberate child abuse
Polygyny and Canada’s Obligations under International Human Rights Law (pdf)
Research paper submitted to B.C. court in constitutional case documents harms associated with polygamy
Man from Bountiful says girls in Mormon polygamist communities "treated like poison snakes", taught to obey men and have many children
Bountiful evidence that polygamy harms women and children - constitutional case likely to reach Canadian Supreme Court
Review of the positions 12 intervener groups are expected to take in upcoming Canadian constitutional case on polygamy
Some religious practices, such as polygamy, are inherently harmful and should not be tolerated in modern society
Women's adovcates: polygamy is an “oppressive institution” that abuses and enslaves women and children
Prosecuting Polygamy in El Dorado by Marci Hamilton
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearings on Polygamy Crimes: What Needs to Be Done at the Federal Level to Protect Children from Abuse and Neglect
Senate hearing: "Crimes Associated with Polygamy: The Need for a Coordinated State and Federal Response."
Texas Will Attempt to Show That Polygamist Culture Itself Harms Children
FLDS defendants complain their religious freedom violated, while denying religious freedom to their children
Children in Bountiful have religious rights too, but are denied them by parents claiming religious freedom
Some Canadian children are protected from religion-related abuse, while others are not
Polygamy is not freedom
Israeli politicians and women's advocates call for immediate change to polygamy law to protect rights of women and children
New study on polygamy in Malaysia finds evidence of harm to everyone involved
Indonesian Women's Association divided on whether polygamy, which is legal in Indonesia, is harmful to women and children
No comments:
Post a Comment