Canadian polygamy trial begins with discussion of what happened long ago in Utah

Cranbrook, British Columbia • Winston Blackmore, once the Canadian bishop of a Utah-based polygamous church, refused to enter a plea Tuesday as he and a co-defendant became the first so-called fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada.

"The accused stands mute, My Lady," Blackmore's attorney, Blair Suffredine, told the judge after his client was asked how he pleaded.

Judge Sheri Ann Donegan entered a not guilty plea on Blackmore's behalf. Co-defendant, James Oler, who succeeded Blackmore as the Canadian bishop of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, pleaded not guilty.

The first-of-its kind trial is being seen as a test of whether Canada's polygamy statute can withstand the country's guarantees for religious freedom. The prosecution began by trying to show the defendants had spiritual motivation to marry multiple women.

The trial's first witness spent most of his time on the stand discussing the Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Often referred to as the "LDS Church" or the "mainstream Mormon church," it abandoned polygamy in 1890 and excommunicates members found practicing it.

Brian Hales, an anesthesiologist from Utah's Davis County who has written three books on Mormon fundamentalism, described the beliefs, ordinances and organization of the LDS Church. By the time Hales started to describe the function of the Quorum of the Seventy, Donegan asked him to slow down so her note-taking could catch up.

FLDS members still hold polygamy as a key component of their faith, Hales said.

"They believe it's still a law," he said. "They believe it's still important to this day."

Hales will return to the witness stand when the trial resumes Wednesday.

Earlier Tuesday, the prosecutor, Peter Wilson, told Donegan he will submit marriage records from the FLDS that were seized by law enforcement in the United States. He also will submit birth records for both defendants' children.

"The crown believes it is important for you, My Lady, to understand the doctrines and practices of the" FLDS, Wilson said.

The defendants are receiving a bench trial, in which the judge will decide their fates. They face up to five years in prison if convicted.

For 22 years, Blackmore was the Canadian bishop of the FLDS. In 2002, then-FLDS President Rulon Jeffs and his son Warren excommunicated Blackmore. Oler succeeded him.

The indictment issued against Blackmore in 2014 listed him as having 24 wives. As of July, Blackmore had 27 wives and 145 children, according to discussions he and his family led at a Sunstone symposium in Salt Lake City. At least a handful of his wives are from Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., the traditional home of the FLDS.

Oler, who is accused of having four wives, is representing himself, though Donegan has appointed an attorney who will make arguments favorable to the defense.

Throughout Tuesday, Donegan asked Oler if he had any objections or arguments.

Every time, Oler answered no or replied, "I have no position."

Blackmore and Oler have had little to do with each other since Blackmore's excommunication. Tuesday, they arrived separately minutes before the trial started, but sat next to each other behind the defense table. They did not speak. Blackmore wore a black suit. Oler wore black jeans and a black jacket.

The evidence against Blackmore and Oler includes marriage records seized by Texas authorities at the Yearning For Zion Ranch in 2008. Former FLDS members, including Blackmore's first wife, also are expected to testify, as are inspectors from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who have been investigating Blackmore and the FLDS for years.

Wednesday should include the first glimpse of the defense Blackmore and Oler plan to offer. Suffredine, in an interview last week, said the government must show there was a marriage and a conjugal relationship between Blackmore and the women.

Oler was acquitted in the same courthouse in February of a charge accusing him of taking a girl to Nevada to be married to another man.

Tuesday, he and Blackmore both stared ahead and listened to Donegan.

Blackmore has been open about his lifestyle, granting interviews and welcoming television crews to his community through the years. It hasn't saved him from prosecution or criticism. The director of the Stop Polygamy in Canada Society has called Blackmore "the king stud of Canada" and said authorities in British Columbia should arrest Blackmore and other polygamists.

There were no signs of the defendants' wives or children in court.

Donegan is likely to issue a verdict sometime after the trial, which is scheduled to last four weeks. As in the United States, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.

ncarlisle@sltrib.com

Twitter: @natecarlisle

Ian Smith | Vancouver Sun Former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints bishop, Winston Blackmore and present bishop, James Oler made a court appearance today, both charged with polygamy. This is James Oler after appearance. Jan. 21, 2009.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune A home in Hildale where Winston Blackmore often stays, Sunday February 12, 2017.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Alvin Barlow holding a copy of the Book of Mormon and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, at his home in Hildale, Monday February 13, 2017.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Alvin Barlow holding the book Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, at his home in Hildale, Monday February 13, 2017.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Ron Rohbock at his home in Hildale, Sunday February 12, 2017.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune A home in Hildale where Winston Blackmore often stays, Monday February 13, 2017.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Bruce Wisan speaks with Winston Blackmore during a community meeting regarding the United Effort Plan (UEP) trust Friday November 30, 2012 in Colorado City.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Winston Blackmore arrives at court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017. Blackmore and co-defendant James Oler are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Texas Ranger Nick Hanna arrives at court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017 for the trial of Winston Blackmore. Blackmore and co-defendant James Oler are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune James Oler arrives at court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017. Oler and co-defendant Winston Blackmore are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Winston Blackmore leaves court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017. Blackmore and co-defendant James Oler are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune A Holy Bible pin on the suit of Winston Blackmore, as he leaves court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017. Blackmore and co-defendant James Oler are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Brian Hale arrives at court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017. Winston Blackmore and co-defendant James Oler are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada. Hale is an anesthesiologist from Utah's Davis County who has written three books on Mormon fundamentalism.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Brian Hales arrives at court in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday April 18, 2017. Winston Blackmore and co-defendant James Oler are the first fundamentalist Mormons to be tried for polygamy in Canada. Hale is an anesthesiologist from Utah's Davis County who has written three books on Mormon fundamentalism.

Canadian polygamy trial begins with discussion of what happened long ago in Utah

Testimony • Unprecedented court case pits Canada’s ban on plural marriage against religious-freedom guarantees.

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