Thursday, August 14, 2025
ADVT 
National

Accused In Polygamy Case Asks For Passport Back To Travel To U.S.

The Canadian Press, 29 Jan, 2015 03:05 PM
    CRESTON, B.C. — One of four people accused of polygamy-related charges in British Columbia is asking the court to return her passport so she can travel into the United States.
     
    Emily Crossfield is accused along with two others of unlawfully removing a child from Canada with the intent that an offence of a sexual nature would be committed.
     
    She asked provincial court Judge Ron Webb on Thursday to have her passport returned so she can shop in the U.S., mainly for herbs, after she took a herbal practitioner course at a local college.
     
    Crown lawyer Tom Arbogast opposed the return of her passport, telling the court the RCMP believes she is a flight risk.
     
    Crossfield, her husband Brandon Blackmore and James Oler all face the same charges, Arbogast noted.
     
    It is believed they have an "extensive network of contacts in Utah and Arizona," he told the court. 
     
    Crossfield replied that she has responsibilities in Canada, adding "I'll return."
     
    Oler also faces polygamy charges along with outspoken community leader Winston Blackmore, who is the father of Brandon Blackmore. Oler is accused of having four wives, while Winston Blackmore is alleged to have 24.
     
    Winston Blackmore and Oler lead different factions in the tiny polygamous community of Bountiful, in southeastern B.C.
     
    Oler's faction follows jailed American polygamist Warren Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jeffs was convicted in the U.S. for sexually assaulting two girls, aged 12 and 15, that he claimed were his "spiritual wives."
     
    Earlier this month, a court prohibited Winston Blackmore from using trademarks belonging to the Mormon church. He was ordered to change his group's corporate name to Church of Jesus Christ (Original Doctrine) Inc.
     
    The mainstream Mormon church renounced polygamy over a century ago.
     
    All the accused were expected to reveal Thursday if they wanted to be tried by judge alone or with a judge and jury. But that decision was delayed.
     
    "We're making good progress in advising Mr. (Winston) Blackmore as to his options," Blackmore's lawyer, Joe Arvay, told the court over the phone. 
     
    Winston Blackmore and Oler are expected to be back in court March 26 to reveal their decision on the type of trail they want.
     
    Crossfield and Brandon Blackmore are back in court Feb. 26, where they are also expected to reveal what kind of trial they want and the judge will hear arguments over returning the woman's passport.
     
    The judge noted that the need to shop in the United States made the passport "nice to have as opposed to compelling."
     
    Winston Blackmore and Oler were accused of the same charges in 2009, but the case was thrown out over the government's use of a special prosecutor.
     
    The B.C. government launched a constitutional reference case afterwards to determine if the law was valid, which ended with a judge ruling the ban on polygamy does not violate the charter.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Prime minister and officers from many forces expected today to mourn Mountie

    Prime minister and officers from many forces expected today to mourn Mountie
    ST. ALBERT, Alta. — Mourners including Prime Minister Stephen Harper will attend a regimental funeral service today in Alberta for RCMP Const. David Wynn.

    Prime minister and officers from many forces expected today to mourn Mountie

    Government looking at changes to oft-criticized northern food subsidy

    Government looking at changes to oft-criticized northern food subsidy
    OTTAWA — It appears the Conservative government is open to the idea of changing the way it tries to offset the high cost of food in the North.

    Government looking at changes to oft-criticized northern food subsidy

    Little drone, big fears: White House incident occurs amid worries over UAVs

    Little drone, big fears: White House incident occurs amid worries over UAVs
    WASHINGTON — There are big fears in the U.S. intelligence community about little devices like the one that slammed into the White House this morning.

    Little drone, big fears: White House incident occurs amid worries over UAVs

    Thalidomide survivors still hoping for funding after Ottawa misses deadline

    Thalidomide survivors still hoping for funding after Ottawa misses deadline
    OTTAWA — The federal government has missed a deadline to provide funding to 95 thalidomide victims.

    Thalidomide survivors still hoping for funding after Ottawa misses deadline

    No major new cuts coming, says minister, as MPs return to Commons

    No major new cuts coming, says minister, as MPs return to Commons
    OTTAWA — While one federal minister says no major new spending cuts are coming, another is hinting that the Harper Conservatives could dip into a rainy-day fund to balance the government's books.

    No major new cuts coming, says minister, as MPs return to Commons

    Special forces troops involved in two more firefights with ISIL fighters

    Special forces troops involved in two more firefights with ISIL fighters
    OTTAWA — Canadian special forces troops have been involved in more firefights with Islamic State extremists.

    Special forces troops involved in two more firefights with ISIL fighters