B.C.’s ‘prosecutor shopping’ dooms polygamy case – Judge throws out case against Blackmore, Oler, citing unfairness in process to choose special prosecutor
Winston Blackmore leaves a press conference in the community of Bountiful near Creston, B.C. January 8, 2009.
By Mark Hume and Justine Hunter
Vancouver and Victoria — A polygamy case against Winston Blackmore and James Oler, two men who have numerous wives, was quashed by the Supreme Court of British Columbia because the provincial government acted unfairly in pursuing the prosecution.
The ruling Wednesday stunned those who wanted to see the landmark case put polygamy on trial in Canada.
“I’m absolutely devastated. I’ve been crying so hard. I can’t find words to describe how I feel,” said Nancy Mereska, co-ordinator of a group called Stop Polygamy in Canada.
“The polygamists will see this as a great victory. … My God! My God! My God! My heart is broken!” she wrote in a blog posting.
Mr. Blackmore told CTV the case had put him and his community under a lot of stress and he’s glad it’s over.
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Tags: British Columbia, Canada, polygamy
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