| Did news coverage help Mohave County Reps. Nancy McLain and Doris Goodale see the light after they voted to support Colorado City marshals? |
Via A Different Solution for Colorado City / The Kingman Daily Miner
Kingman waking up to atrocities in Colorado City
Arizona House rejects SB1433
PHOENIX — A bill that would have allowed Mohave County to take over law enforcement in Colorado City was rejected by the state House on Wednesday.
The House voted 28-25 against the bill, with six members not voting.
Mohave County Reps. Doris Goodale and Nancy McClain were among the no votes.
Via House rejects bill to replace Colorado City marshals / Arizona Independent
Nielsen sentenced to 10 years, fine
A West Texas polygamist who authorities said had multiple “celestial marriages” was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.
Wendell Loy Nielsen, 71, was given a 10-year term on each of the three counts of bigamy for which he convicted and will serve them concurrently. He was also ordered to pay $30,000 in fines.
Via / Texas bigamist, a Warren Jeffs follower, gets 10 years in prison / Chicago Tribune
Prosecutor’s powers expanded in Canada
VANCOUVER— A special prosecutor has been given expanded powers to lay charges against polygamists in British Columbia, the Attorney General announced Monday.
The move came as the provincial government announced it would not refer a B.C. Supreme Court ruling upholding the polygamy law to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Via / Special prosecutor given expanded powers in polygamy cases / National Post
$20 million spent on polygamy cases in Texas
SAN ANTONIO — In the four years since Texas authorities swarmed the polygamist ranch of sect leader Warren Jeffs, state prosecutors have spent more than $4.5 million racking up swift convictions against him and 10 loyal followers on child sex and bigamy charges, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.
Combined with other state agency costs surrounding the April 3, 2008, raid, documents show the price tag is approaching $20 million for what began as a chaotic roundup of nearly 400 children and grew into one of the largest criminal cases in recent Texas history.
Via / Texas spent $20 million on polygamy cases / Associated Press
Study: Plural marriage bad for society
A new study out of the University of British Columbia documents how societies have systematically evolved away from polygamy because of the social problems it causes.
Via “Is Polygamy Really So Awful?” / Slate
Jeffs Loses Phone for 90 Days
Texas prison officials have found polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs guilty of “a major disciplinary infraction” following an investigation into whether he violated policy by — among other allegations — preaching a Christmas day sermon from prison, a state spokeswoman said Monday.
Via Warren Jeffs guilty of ‘major disciplinary infraction’ for prison phone calls / CNN
FLDS meet, prepare but for what?
HILDALE — Concern is rising over a new burst of activity by followers of imprisoned polygamist leader Warren Jeffs.
According to outside observers, there has been a flurry of church meetings almost daily, a set of mysterious construction projects and widespread re-baptism as thousands of followers react to apparent prophesies of doom from their imprisoned leader.
Via FLDS meet, prepare but for what? / Deseret News
Judge OKs eviction threats
A Utah judge has approved a plan to use threats of eviction to wring $2.2 million in back taxes out of a polygamist sect on the Utah-Arizona border.
Third District Judge Denise Lindberg last week ruled that a court-appointed accountant can threaten eviction to try to get residents of the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., to pay up.
Via Judge OKs eviction threats to get polygamy sect’s taxes / Arizona Daily Star
Jeffs’ followers hand over possessions
Though polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs is serving a life sentence in Texas for sexually assaulting two girls, he continues issuing directives to his followers. The new rules are considered particularly strict – even by sect members who’ve acquiesced to giving up reading the news and wearing the color red.
Via Followers of polygamist Warren Jeffs give up bikes, trampolines / The Los Angeles Times
