Final arguments made in "Sister Wives" lawsuit


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Updated: 1/17 10:06 pm | Published: 1/17 5:57 pm
Reported by: Kim Johnson
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Final arguments in the so-called Sister Wives lawsuit were heard Thursday in U.S. District Court.  The family, featured in the TLC reality TV series, claims Utah’s statute making plural marriage a crime is unconstitutional.

The state’s attorney told ABC 4 the law is constitutional.  “The ad hoc polygamy statute deals with more than consenting adults,” said Jerrold Jensen, Asst. Attorney General.  “Anytime you have a polygamous unit you tend to have children, children become a part of the equation.”

The judge did not issue a ruling only saying he hopes to soon.

The Browns are already claiming some success in court by just being able to get the lawsuit  heard in front of a judge without first being prosecuted for polygamy.

The family moved to Nevada in 2010 after the Utah County attorney launched an investigation into whether the Browns were breaking the law.  No charges were ever filed.

But the family's attorney says the Browns want the right to maintain their own family and faith without threat of prosecution.  “What the Browns are seeking is what most families take for granted that they believe they can order their personal lives to their views, their beliefs, their values,” said Jonathan Turley, the Browns attorney.

Just before the hearing a small group of women opposed to polygamy gathered in front of the courthouse.

The head of one group called Sound Choices Coalition, is a former polygamist wife who is concerned about "pro-polygamy" media coverage by the Browns and wants to send a message that polygamy is harmful.

The children are taught that yeah they have a choice-- the choice is you choose not to do it you are going to lose your salvation, you’re not going to get your family, you’re going to be damned to hell,” said Kristyn Decker.

Kody Brown, nor any of his wives, appeared in court. In an online statement, Kody Brown wrote, “We hope that Utahans can understand that our family – like tens of thousands in this state – are seeking only to be allowed to live according to our beliefs and not be declared felons simply because we are different.”
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PoeticJustice - 1/19/2013 1:15 PM
0 Votes
This is a great publicity stunt by the Browns and their producers to increase ratings. No state is going to decriminalize polygamy, not even Utah. What a joke! Polygamy is an abusive bronze-age goat-herder lifestyle, and anyone who believes the Brown's version of polygamy....well, I have a bridge I'll sell ya. LOL

Cabo Cara - 1/18/2013 8:04 AM
0 Votes
Still do not understand the law suit to begin with since the UT A.G. past and now current have said that they will not prosecute polygamy anyway... People need to understand that polygamy is NOT all “sister wives” and “big love” or the Dargers. UT, AZ and other states in fact DO "turn a blind eye" to FLDS polygamy where children (girls as young as 12) are married off to much older men and then live off of welfare, food stamps and Medicaid (known as "bleeding the beast")... as discussed in new book "plygs", a fact based journalistic view at the REAL world of polygamy... T.V. is doing nothing but glamorizing polygamy and this suit proves it.

mhocking129 - 1/17/2013 11:15 PM
0 Votes
As long as they are all consenting adult I don't see a problem with it. The Browns provide for their own family ,and do not live off gov't assistance. This man isn't out getting multiple women pregnant and not caring for them or leaving the children without a father. He isn't an extremest who marries underage little girls or forces marriage. I am not Mormon or a poligamist but I think those who want to live this lifestyle with consenting adults should be allowed to do so. The only reason they are prosecuted is because they are all married to one another. If he only had one wife and the rest were just mistress' on the side nobody would say anything and it wouldn't be illegal. Good Luck Browns!

vtgirl - 1/17/2013 10:06 PM
0 Votes
@nicmcc83 - While I do not support polygamy nor would I ever practice it, your comment is absurd. Have you read the Old Testament? Practically every man featured had more than one child by more than one wife, including Abraham! Also, contracting a disease from a partner is possible in a monogamous relationship as well, that is why responsible adults (and I'll assume you are a Christian as am I) either have not had relations previous to marriage OR get tested before entering into a marriage or sexual relationship with someone. For heavens sake the way you worded it makes it sound like he isn't in 4 simultaneous monogamous relationships, which he is...he isn't going out and picking up chicks at a bar for one night stands. If you're going to make a point at the very least don't make such broad and incorrect ones. I do not think their family is the "norm", more often we see the polygamists who are abusing themselves, their power, their women, their children and government assistance systems. But in this case, none of those reasons are applicable. The debate should be more about the current law pertaining to the masses (which it does), rather than the few. Why not addend the current law giving families such as the Browns' amnesty after a certain amount of time proving they are providing stable, loving and financially sound home(s). If, like the article says, it's about the children involved...we don't even go to those lengths for children born into monogamous relationships. Ultimately though, we should hold true to our own convictions but leave the judgement to the only One who can give it.

nicmcc83 - 1/17/2013 9:23 PM
0 Votes
This is just wrong. Polegamy goes against God. How can these women be ok with their husband being with someone else? What about disease?
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