when this first came up, the crown was heavily criticized for filing the wrong charges - observers across the spectrum agreed that the most likely outcome was for the court to strike down the polygamy laws, allowing the community to continue to exist and even throwing the validity of laws against child marriage into question. there was also concern that the real issue was going to be lost, in the process.

the issue in the minds of most people has never been around the question of polygamy. the real issue has always been related to child abuse, and specifically to underage marriages. this concern is not even mentioned in this terse press release.

i don't care about polygamy between consenting adults. i wouldn't exactly argue that it should be legal; i don't think the state should recognize any concept of marriage at all, and property in common should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. so, what would it mean for me to say polygamy should be legal when i don't think marriage should be legal? but, i certainly don't see any purpose in prosecuting consenting adults. 

this community, however, needs to be shut down. and, i can only hope that the correct charges of child abuse, statutory rape and human trafficking are filed very quickly, along with the proper legislation banning underage marriages, should the existing legislation be overturned by proxy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/polygamy-trial-closing-arguments-1.4101033