Bountiful verdict overdue

Re: “Bountiful on trial: one year later, delay on tax verdict sends bad message,” by Daphne Bramham, Ideas, Aug. 6. Tragically, the problem of justice delayed and/or denied surrounding the issues that are in Bountiful, B.C., is a national phenomenon. Canada’s courts are rife with lists of trials in waiting or decisions delayed for one reason or another.

Even those who know they are victims (as Bountiful’s brainwashed residents do not) wait very long times to be heard in any court.

There is no reason for Tax Court Judge Diane Campbell’s delay in rendering her decision on Winston Blackmore’s tax evasion charges.

His is not like a Hutterite colony, even though he is seen as a group’s spiritual leader. Hutterite colony residents do not go off-site to work in the community as Blackmore’s many wives do to support the group.

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ United Effort Plan in Utah was usurped by the courts five years ago because funds were mishandled to benefit a privileged few, while the minions who contributed to the fund went without.

Can the same be said for Blackmore? Do his wives drive new vehicles? Is he amassing a small fortune from those who tithe to him?

We know of 53 underaged girls trafficked to or from Bountiful across the U.S. border for forced marriage to older FLDS men. We know of allegations that underaged girls were impregnated by Winston Blackmore.

We watched the trials of 12 FLDS men in Texas, including sect leader Warren Jeffs, as they were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Jeffs received life plus 20 years.

Justice delayed is justice denied and Canada does it so well. Nancy Mereska, president, Stop Polygamy in Canada Society, Two Hills